ይሠጠዎ

4 ሓምለ 2019 · 2027-07-11

The rainy season provides a powerful image for God’s grace. Rain falls upon the earth, but fruit appears only where the soil receives it properly. In the same way, God continually gives His Word, mercy, sacraments, and spiritual gifts, but the human heart must receive and protect what He gives. Saint Paul teaches that Christian sacrifice and perseverance make sense because the dead will truly rise. Using the image of a seed, he explains that what is sown must first die before it receives a new and more glorious form. The body is sown in weakness and corruption, but it will be raised in power and incorruptibility. This resurrection hope should change the way Christians live now. Saint Paul warns believers not to be deceived by corrupting influences. The expectation of eternal life does not give permission for careless living; it calls us to sobriety, holiness, courage, and perseverance. Saint Peter warns about false teachers who promise freedom while they themselves are enslaved by corruption. Their words resemble springs without water: they appear to offer refreshment, but they cannot give life. Christians must therefore distinguish between the living water of Christ and teachings that flatter human desires while leading people back into sin. In Acts, Paul heals a man who had been unable to walk. The people mistakenly attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods. The apostles immediately reject this honour and direct the people toward the living God who created heaven and earth and who gives rain, fruitful seasons, food, and gladness. Every blessing of nature should lead humanity toward the Creator rather than toward idols. Rain, harvest, healing, and life are gifts that reveal God’s goodness. Jesus tells the parable of the sower. The same seed falls upon different kinds of ground, but the results are different. Some hearts are hardened; some receive the Word only temporarily; some allow trials or worldly concerns to destroy it. Fruit is produced in those who receive the Word deeply and remain faithful. God grants the rain and sows the seed, but we must prepare the soil of our hearts. We do this through repentance, prayer, attention to Scripture, rejection of false teaching, faithful participation in the Church, and perseverance during trials. The heart that remains in Christ will produce fruit now and will finally be raised with Him in glory.