09-19-2015, 04:57 PM
GRACE AS THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 TIM 6:13-16; LK 8:4-15
The parable of the Sower has often been interpreted as a reminder of our responsibility to respond to the invitation of the Good News of the Kingdom. To the extent that we receive the Word, to that extent the Kingdom can become a reality in us. Hence, all of us are exhorted to be the rich soil so that the Word of God can produce in us the fruits of the Kingdom. This allegorical interpretation of the parable is attributable to the influence of the evangelist and his Christian community. However, this is not the primary intention of Jesus when He told this parable. The fact that this parable is called the parable of the Sower and not the parable of the soil or something similar to this theme implies that the emphasis of the parable does not lie in our efforts or capability to respond to the Word. Rather, the stress is on the graciousness of God who is the Sower of the seed of the Good News.
We all know very well that responding to the Word is not something that we can simply will. By our efforts alone, we cannot receive the Good News into our lives. Indeed, like the Jews, many of us “may see but not perceive, listen but not understand.” Indeed, the mysteries of the Kingdom are not even revealed to us as parables but more likely as puzzles. At any rate, which one of us does not wish to be the rich soil which the gospel speaks about – the soil that produces a bumper harvest. Thus, the truth of life is that everything is grace. This is not to deny the importance of human effort, but the mysteries of the Kingdom cannot be attained simply by hard work, responsibility and discipline. We need grace. This is the original meaning of the parable of the Sower. It is not so much a question of whether we are making a responsible decision to accept the Word. Nay, it is to remind us that the mysteries of the Kingdom can be summarized in one word: grace. Grace is the mystery of the mysteries of the kingdom. How is that so?
In the first place, we need the grace of the Word or the Good News of the Kingdom. The Word that is sown or given to us is the initiative of God. That is why the parable commences by saying, “A sower went out to sow his seed.” And then continuing, we are told that “as he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path.” Others fell on rock, others among thorns and some on rich soil. In other words the seed is freely given to all without discrimination and without conditions. The Sower did not choose to sow only on rich soil but he sowed the seeds everywhere he went. Like the sun, the Good News of the Kingdom is given to all without reserve or distinction. Hence, we must say that the Good News is itself the grace of God. It is not something that we can earn or merit. It is wholly due to the graciousness of God.
Secondly, we need the grace of response, the grace of disposition. We must realize that given the choice we all want to be that rich soil which the gospel speaks about. No one wants to belong to the edge of the path, nor the rock that has hardly any soil, nor the soil that is overgrown with briers and thorns. Unfortunately, the fact of life is that we cannot choose where we want to be born. It is not for us to be born in a rich and talented family or a poor and marginalized family. It is not for us to be born into a situation where there is faith or lack of it. Very often, some of us do not have the opportunity to hear the Word, especially when we are living in a secularized world. We know that many want to become Christians but are prevented by their race or culture. Others seriously want to be converted but because of their responsibilities to their family or to society, could not become converted, or simply because they do not have the time to hear the Good News. And there are many of us indeed who have heard the Good News but due to many factors are unable to deepen our faith and spiritual life.
So in truth, the circumstances of where we are cannot be determined by us. They are a given. Consequently, for some of us, the ability to make a response to the Word would be more difficult than others. Just because we can respond however does not mean that it is due to our efforts alone. It is ultimately once again the work of grace. There is nothing for us to boast about except the glory and goodness of God. Instead of feeling superior towards others, we must be more humble for receiving such blessings from God. That is why, those who are successful in their studies or in life, those who have been blessed with talents, wealth, health and opportunities should learn to be grateful and not despise others who do not have the same privileges as them. Instead of attributing success purely to our hard work, much of it has to do with the grace of God more than ourselves and our efforts.
Thirdly, we need the grace of revelation. We know also that it is not simply by hearing the Word that we are able to come to realize the mysteries of the Kingdom. We can be intellectually very bright, and yet not be able to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom, just as it was the case of the Jewish priests and leaders. Age and intellectual capabilities are no guarantee that we can grasp the inner realities of the kingdom. The disciples of Jesus were more fortunate than us. Christ had revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to them. They were given the insight to see the truths of the kingdom. Certainly not all of them were intellectually superior. However, most of us are not so privileged to be able to have that gift of revelation and enlightenment. So, the work of enlightenment is once again the work of grace, not simply one’s efforts.
If the mystery of the Kingdom is a mystery of grace, then does it mean that there is nothing we can do to make the Kingdom a reality in our lives? Are we condemned to live in resignation to whatever situation we find ourselves in? No. Such an attitude will result in fatalism. The mystery of the Kingdom is not simply a mystery of the grace of God; it is also the mystery of the relationship between grace and work. While it is true that the kingdom of God is primarily a gift of God, we can certainly do something to prepare for this gift. Within this context, the allegorical interpretation of the parable of the Sower becomes tenable. We must, according to our own situation, live in such a way as to make the best of it, whether we are living at the edge of the path or the superficialities of life; or the rocky ground of trials and difficulties; or the soil that is stifled by the temptations of the world.
Here too, we must remember that grace is at work. God will somehow, through His grace, lead us to His Kingdom, not in spite, but because of the circumstances that we are in. In truth, there is no ideal situation, ideal community, ideal spouse or family that we can be placed in. But according to the realities that we are in, if we co-operate with His grace, then we will certainly be able to reap a rich harvest of life, both for ourselves and for others. Perhaps, this co-operation between the grace of God and the efforts of man in coming to the Kingdom is the real heart of the mystery of the Kingdom.
This is precisely the advice of St Paul to the young Timothy in his pastoral ministry. St Paul reminded him that God is the source of life, the ruler of all, and that everything comes from Him. All that we need to do, according to Paul, is to be faithful to our duties in life, and as far as we can, to perform them without any faults or failures on our part. And then in due time, the mystery of life and of grace will be made known to us with the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. But this is something that we need not be concerned now. In time to come, He who is unapproachable light, will make known to us how His grace works with and through us in any condition that we are in. His grace will ultimately be victorious for He is the “king of kings and Lord of Lords.”
Written by The Most Rev William Goh
Roman Catholic Archbishop of
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 TIM 6:13-16; LK 8:4-15
The parable of the Sower has often been interpreted as a reminder of our responsibility to respond to the invitation of the Good News of the Kingdom. To the extent that we receive the Word, to that extent the Kingdom can become a reality in us. Hence, all of us are exhorted to be the rich soil so that the Word of God can produce in us the fruits of the Kingdom. This allegorical interpretation of the parable is attributable to the influence of the evangelist and his Christian community. However, this is not the primary intention of Jesus when He told this parable. The fact that this parable is called the parable of the Sower and not the parable of the soil or something similar to this theme implies that the emphasis of the parable does not lie in our efforts or capability to respond to the Word. Rather, the stress is on the graciousness of God who is the Sower of the seed of the Good News.
We all know very well that responding to the Word is not something that we can simply will. By our efforts alone, we cannot receive the Good News into our lives. Indeed, like the Jews, many of us “may see but not perceive, listen but not understand.” Indeed, the mysteries of the Kingdom are not even revealed to us as parables but more likely as puzzles. At any rate, which one of us does not wish to be the rich soil which the gospel speaks about – the soil that produces a bumper harvest. Thus, the truth of life is that everything is grace. This is not to deny the importance of human effort, but the mysteries of the Kingdom cannot be attained simply by hard work, responsibility and discipline. We need grace. This is the original meaning of the parable of the Sower. It is not so much a question of whether we are making a responsible decision to accept the Word. Nay, it is to remind us that the mysteries of the Kingdom can be summarized in one word: grace. Grace is the mystery of the mysteries of the kingdom. How is that so?
In the first place, we need the grace of the Word or the Good News of the Kingdom. The Word that is sown or given to us is the initiative of God. That is why the parable commences by saying, “A sower went out to sow his seed.” And then continuing, we are told that “as he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path.” Others fell on rock, others among thorns and some on rich soil. In other words the seed is freely given to all without discrimination and without conditions. The Sower did not choose to sow only on rich soil but he sowed the seeds everywhere he went. Like the sun, the Good News of the Kingdom is given to all without reserve or distinction. Hence, we must say that the Good News is itself the grace of God. It is not something that we can earn or merit. It is wholly due to the graciousness of God.
Secondly, we need the grace of response, the grace of disposition. We must realize that given the choice we all want to be that rich soil which the gospel speaks about. No one wants to belong to the edge of the path, nor the rock that has hardly any soil, nor the soil that is overgrown with briers and thorns. Unfortunately, the fact of life is that we cannot choose where we want to be born. It is not for us to be born in a rich and talented family or a poor and marginalized family. It is not for us to be born into a situation where there is faith or lack of it. Very often, some of us do not have the opportunity to hear the Word, especially when we are living in a secularized world. We know that many want to become Christians but are prevented by their race or culture. Others seriously want to be converted but because of their responsibilities to their family or to society, could not become converted, or simply because they do not have the time to hear the Good News. And there are many of us indeed who have heard the Good News but due to many factors are unable to deepen our faith and spiritual life.
So in truth, the circumstances of where we are cannot be determined by us. They are a given. Consequently, for some of us, the ability to make a response to the Word would be more difficult than others. Just because we can respond however does not mean that it is due to our efforts alone. It is ultimately once again the work of grace. There is nothing for us to boast about except the glory and goodness of God. Instead of feeling superior towards others, we must be more humble for receiving such blessings from God. That is why, those who are successful in their studies or in life, those who have been blessed with talents, wealth, health and opportunities should learn to be grateful and not despise others who do not have the same privileges as them. Instead of attributing success purely to our hard work, much of it has to do with the grace of God more than ourselves and our efforts.
Thirdly, we need the grace of revelation. We know also that it is not simply by hearing the Word that we are able to come to realize the mysteries of the Kingdom. We can be intellectually very bright, and yet not be able to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom, just as it was the case of the Jewish priests and leaders. Age and intellectual capabilities are no guarantee that we can grasp the inner realities of the kingdom. The disciples of Jesus were more fortunate than us. Christ had revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to them. They were given the insight to see the truths of the kingdom. Certainly not all of them were intellectually superior. However, most of us are not so privileged to be able to have that gift of revelation and enlightenment. So, the work of enlightenment is once again the work of grace, not simply one’s efforts.
If the mystery of the Kingdom is a mystery of grace, then does it mean that there is nothing we can do to make the Kingdom a reality in our lives? Are we condemned to live in resignation to whatever situation we find ourselves in? No. Such an attitude will result in fatalism. The mystery of the Kingdom is not simply a mystery of the grace of God; it is also the mystery of the relationship between grace and work. While it is true that the kingdom of God is primarily a gift of God, we can certainly do something to prepare for this gift. Within this context, the allegorical interpretation of the parable of the Sower becomes tenable. We must, according to our own situation, live in such a way as to make the best of it, whether we are living at the edge of the path or the superficialities of life; or the rocky ground of trials and difficulties; or the soil that is stifled by the temptations of the world.
Here too, we must remember that grace is at work. God will somehow, through His grace, lead us to His Kingdom, not in spite, but because of the circumstances that we are in. In truth, there is no ideal situation, ideal community, ideal spouse or family that we can be placed in. But according to the realities that we are in, if we co-operate with His grace, then we will certainly be able to reap a rich harvest of life, both for ourselves and for others. Perhaps, this co-operation between the grace of God and the efforts of man in coming to the Kingdom is the real heart of the mystery of the Kingdom.
This is precisely the advice of St Paul to the young Timothy in his pastoral ministry. St Paul reminded him that God is the source of life, the ruler of all, and that everything comes from Him. All that we need to do, according to Paul, is to be faithful to our duties in life, and as far as we can, to perform them without any faults or failures on our part. And then in due time, the mystery of life and of grace will be made known to us with the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. But this is something that we need not be concerned now. In time to come, He who is unapproachable light, will make known to us how His grace works with and through us in any condition that we are in. His grace will ultimately be victorious for He is the “king of kings and Lord of Lords.”
Written by The Most Rev William Goh
Roman Catholic Archbishop of