PARABLE OF THE ROACHES
My parents recited this mantra while we were growing up: “Study hard. Education is the only treasure that we can give you.” My parents called themselves graduates of the University of Hard Knocks. They eloped before they finished high school. Thus, the endless reminder for us, their children, to do our best in ensuring a good future. The books, my parents and my teachers, plus the struggles of a poor, simple family inspired me to soar to greater heights. Suffice it to say that the lessons were well-learned and became deeply rooted in my persona.
The Word of God offers limitless avenues for us to learn and grow. We listen to the Word of God every day at Mass. The story of the sower is a hard-hitting parable which remains relevant to these days. There are still people who are indifferent to the Word. We have yet to equal the members of other Christian denominations in their reverence and love for Scripture. There are those who welcome the Word of God for a while but forget about it in the long run. And there are those whose worldly concerns take the first place in their hierarchy of values rather than their spiritual lives.
But there are those who welcome the Word of God, make it their source of strength and inspiration, establish it as the criteria and benchmark for a meaningful and spirit-filled life. Fortunately for the Church, the dawning of the Charismatic Renewal movement has led to a renewed thirst for the Word — to be read, heard, listened to and lived out.
Many families have Bibles in their homes, but very rarely do they enthrone it in their altars. They keep their Bibles inside cabinets, unread and being feasted on by roaches. One priest warned: Don’t be shocked when you reach heaven and find the roaches having halos and angelic wings — because the roaches seemed more interested in God’s Word than you are!
Lessons have to be learned. Impressions have to last. Challenges have to be faced with fortitude. The Word of God has to be firmly planted in the hearts of the faithful. Wanted: Good soil for God’s Word. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, SFO
REFLECTION QUESTION: In the parable, which soil are you? Why?
Lord, may Your Word bring fruits aplenty in my life.
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