We have some experience in this cultivation and farming.
Some of us sitting here in our church may be farmers.
At least we have some experience from our gardens.
We know a hundredfold harvest is rare incident.
One who gets back hundred percent is lucky.
Yes, it is a ‘gamble’ - between nature and our work.
God is powerful than humans. It needs no discussion.
God himself is working in our proclamation.
Therefore, the word of God should successfully bring hundred times.
But just as in our field or garden,
our ‘work of faith’ brings not such a success.
Furthermore we are deeply disappointed.
Yes, it is also ‘gamble’ - between our faith / human nature and God's spirit.
Even our Lord Jesus hadn’t a hundred-fold harvest.
He was very disappointed - in our language - against his own people, because his people were not willing to believe in him and in his work.
They witnessed his works with 30 and 60 fold returns.
Jesus’ behaviour is a guide for all of us in our lives.
Life may not bring 100% success. We can work for it. But it must not be the result. There may often situations that we do not succeed as we calculate it.
But one need not be disappointed; says Jesus.
Our churches and religious services may be poorly attended and evaluated. Religious values can be matter for nothing.
Jesus says, it is so... but do not be disappointed. Do not be sad.
Then success is not a name of God.
Success is perhaps the measure of the world.
In faith, it must not always be so.
Yes it is a very different kind of success criteria:
Success, for Jesus has nothing to do with the quantity, quality is important.
These few grains, which make 30 or 60 percent results may replace some thing and balance what has not worked out.
We are those grains.
We know we are not perfect in faith.
But that is not to be shamed.
Each day God offers us the opportunity to grow in our faith.
This means that we - who are here / have faith in God, have got a responsibility:
then we should bear Credible-fruits ...
We should manifest God in the world.
This will make our ‘fields’ slowly fruitful.
It does not happen overnight.
We need to work ever again.
Growing weeds must be removed.
Anything that prevents the growth of the word has no place there.
This should happen in the church, in our community life.
We know the duty of every Christian is to ‘represent God’.
Each or any person baptized has to do his or her part.
Priests and bishops are only to accompany our faith.
Our life itself should witness to the Word / God's kingdom.
People who are watching us and should be able to ‘see and feel the Christ in us’. This is not easy.
Let us work Grateful and happy to fulfil our mission.
Targeted work will certainly lead to better harvest.
I wish us all strength and insight to witness God in our Christian life and to contribute our part to spread the kingdom of God. God bless us. Amen!
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Fr Thomas Kalathil
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