We only reap what we sow Homily for Wednesday of the 11th week in ordinary time JUNE 2023

Homily for Wednesday of the 11th week in ordinary time 

2Cor.9:6-11; Ps.112; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18

We only reap what we sow!

The first reading of today talks about reaping in the measure that we have sown. Often times, this biblical text is interpreted in terms of financial contribution to the work of evangelization. While this interpretation is not wrong, there are more to it. Christianity is a religion that is lived from the conscience. The commandments (summarized as Love) only guide us for proper conscience formation. It is this conscience that will form the basis for our judgment on the last day. Only God can judge the intentions of our hearts; so, in the gospel reading, Jesus tells us to beware of trying to capture the praises of men through sycophancy.

The judgment of men is not always the judgment of God because men can only see the externals. God, on his part is able to notice and judge that which is not noticed by men, whether good or bad. So, Jesus noted “and your Father who sees in secret (whether good or bad) will reward you”. This is exactly what St. Paul meant by saying: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”. The extent to which we apply ourselves in giving God authentic worship determines the level of cordial relationship we shall enjoy with God. We are free to choose our actions; but an action once chosen, will attract the corresponding consequence.

This truth was well illustrated in story of Cain and Abel. Both offered sacrifices with different levels of commitment that attracted God’s attention but to different degrees: one low, the other high. The God who gives us the commandments, does not take away our freedom. No matter how crucial an act may be for our salvation, God will not force us into such art; at most, it will be recommended. Sadly, some persons can only be at their best if they are threatened to do so.

What the readings of today wants us to evaluate in our lives is the level of sacrifice we are making in order for us to give authentic worship to God. We can evaluate this level of sacrifice in different ways: how much effort do I make to avoid sin? How often do I choose to forgive rather than revenge? To what extent do I respect the time to be spent for God either by going to Church or in praying at home? How much inconvenience am I ready to accommodate for the good of others? How quality is the time I spend in prayer? To what extent am I living this life with the consciousness of death? The answers to these and similar questions varies to different degrees. The degree of our answer is the quality of our sowing which in-turn determines the quality of reaping. Some of us are sowing very little commitment in our relationship with God but are expecting a very bountiful harvest. It does not work like that. Whatever we do for God, we actually for ourselves.

A necessary seed we must sow is the ability to have good consciences that enables us to love God and do the right thing even when no one is watching, no one will praise us. That is the hallmark of true respect and love for God. God is most pleased when we freely act rightly, because the free acts of man are the real human acts. So the psalmist tells us that it is that man who fears the Lord (from a good conscience) that is blessed. Beloved, sow good and reap good; sow small good and reap small good.