11th Sunday, Year B....DOCTRINE AND FAITH

DOCTRINE AND FAITH
(Ezekiel 17, 22-24; 2 Cor 5, 6-10; Mark  4,26-34: 11th Sunday, Year B)

 
Paul, in the second reading of today, teaches us that the Christian life is like a journey or pilgrimage towards our heavenly home; for as long as we live in this world we are in exile away from the Lord. The journey back to the Lord is to be done in faith. It is illumined and sustained by the light and force of faith, and the sole expectation is to have the vision of God. The Christian, following the example of Paul, desires to make his home with God, to be with Christ (Philippians 1,23) and he is always full of confidence to arrive at his goal. The confidence and hope are, however, based on the goodness, faithfulness and promise of God as well as on the power of his grace. It is not, however, based on our capability and certainly not on our merits. 

    In the gospel reading of today, Jesus narrates two parables to illustrate what the kingdom of God is like. We come into contact with the Kingdom of God through the graces of our Baptism; we are reborn in water and Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3,3). God started reigning in us from the day of our baptism, the day we became his property. Grace (the kingdom of God in us) is like a seed; it strives by power, naturally intrinsic to it, to grow and develop itself in a person, transforming the whole life of the Christian to the point that the Christian can affirm with Paul: I no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal 2,20).
    From the point of view of human consideration devoid of the spiritual illumination that comes from faith, grace (divine life, the reign of God in us) does not worth much; it is reality one can do without. But in fact, grace is a great realty that cannot be overlooked, especially when we reflect on the divinization of the soul, though, the infused virtues, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Most Blessed Trinity. 

    Even though the divine seed of grace has, in itself, wonderful capacity to transform the soul and life of the Christian, our cooperation as Christians is required for the growth, development and production of the fruits of divine grace in us. It is necessary that we take up the duty to always do what pleases God. The thought of Paul that one day we should give account of our stewardship should also propel us to do what pleases God. Appearing before God’s judgment could be salutary; we are not to neglect it or consider it irrelevant. But the motive of love should be the propelling force to do what pleases God or be intent on what would please Him. This is because we are certain that God loves us and we would want to reciprocate. He who loves does not desire anything else than to be absolutely pleasing to the one loved, and desires nothing but to be of the same mind and thought with his beloved. When we love, some sacrifices are not only possible, but, they become sources of joy. May we in the Eucharistic celebration of today beg that the seed of faith, of grace planted in us at our Baptism may mature and bear fruits of salvation for ourselves and for other people! Happy Sunday! +John I. Okoye