The Four Types of People in Church

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church

July 13, 2014

In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23), Jesus used a familiar picture to tell a story; he used the here and now to describe the there and then. He used the already of God’s Kingdom to tell the not yet of God’s Kingdom. He used the image of a sower to narrate what he and subsequent preachers of the message are going to do, how the people of his generation and beyond would receive and react to it, and how everything will eventually end up. A sower went to his farm to sow seeds. As he moved up and down spreading and sowing his seeds, some seeds fell on the path and were eaten up by some hungry birds. Some fell on rocky ground, where they had little soil, as such, they sprang up immediately. But when the sun arose, they were scorched and killed because they lacked support and foundation. Some of the seeds fell among thorns, and as the thorns grew up, they choked the seeds. But the sower’s effort and industry was not all a futile one. Some of his seeds fell on good, rich soil, as such, they germinated well, grew up healthy, and produced bountiful fruits. 

The seeds that fell on the path are Christians who go to church every weekend but the church never goes into them. They go to church with their minds shut against the life-changing word of God. Pride, prejudice and fear prevent them from hearing the truth. A prejudiced mind rejects everything it does not want to hear; a proud heart thinks it knows everything and does not need any further instruction; a fearful mind does not want to hear something new that condemns the things it loves and does. Churchgoers like this remain on the path, on the side-way and never gain entrance to enjoy the rich and good soil of the Kingdom of God. They bear no good fruit.

The seeds that fell on a rocky ground but were scorched and killed by the sun due to lack of soil support describe Christians who hear the word of God, receive it with great joy, but then fall away when tempted, tested and persecuted. These are Christians who want the crown but not the cross. These are consumerist Christians who believe that accepting Jesus will mark the end of struggle and suffering. They are myth and fantasy centered believers. They believe in fantasy Christianity. They want to live the kind of life that Jesus, our Master never lived. To such Christians, every inconvenience, no matter how small, is a reason not to go to Church or be involved in the life of their church. When they pray at all, they do so telling God what they want, what he has not done and never thank him for what he has done for them. And Christians like this never finish any project they start; once it becomes difficult, they abandon it. Some people’s lives are littered with projects they started and never finished. But those who quit when it gets tough never win. 

The seeds that fell among thorns but were choked up as the thorns grew describe Christians who have so many interests in life that they forget the most important thing. Jesus says they are “the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit (Matthew 13:22).” Such Christians become too busy to go to church, too busy to pray, too busy to read the Bible, too busy to volunteer for anything in the church, too busy join any ministry. They are so engrossed in the things of this world, so absorbed and engaged with their businesses that they have no time for God, the church or anyone else. The cares of the church is never their cares. Their business can take a firm hold of them that they are too tired or unconcerned about anything else. The fleeting things of this world crowds their hearts and finally crowds Jesus out. The momentary lures of this world exclude them from everybody and also excludes them from God. 

Glory be to God! There are some seeds that fell on rich and good soil and produced bountiful harvest. These are Christians who accept the word of God with an open mind. They are not too proud to listen and to obey. They never assume to know it all. They are attentive to the word of God and accepts it even when it condemns what they love to do. These are the fruit-bearing Christians who understand that it is not enough to show up in church, that the church must show up in them. In the house of God, they are the ones using their talents, time and treasure (money) in the building up of God’s house. They continuously give and never get tired of giving. They use their talents in the service of the church by reading at Mass, giving out communion, singing in the choir, welcoming members and visitors, teaching catechism etc. They use their time visiting the sick and homebound, cleaning and polishing the church and its environs, and involving in repairs. They offer their treasures generously to the church. They understand that their church has bills to pay and needs money to remain operational. They understand that giving to their church is part of their responsibility and obligation. Their generous contributions and donations to the church is seen as money well spent, as money given to God and as part “of storing up treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). 

Where type of seed are you?