Tuesday word

25th Tuesday B (26 Sep 2006) Pr 21. 1-6,10-13; Ps 119; Lk 8. 19-21
Homily of Fr. Paul Panaretos, S.J.
Faith Grown Up

Over several days we’ve been hearing chapter 8 of Luke’s gospel at mass. We concluded its first part with the two-verse selection today. The chapter began with people forming around Jesus and noted the Twelve and some women who supported Jesus out of their means. The new people of God was taking shape.

Jesus, God’s prophet and messiah, formed this people with the word of the kingdom as well as performing deeds which spoke of it. Hear the word of God and do it means making faith a way of life. In part that means to protect the germ of faith each of us has received in our hearts and to cultivate its growth.

In his parable of the sower and seed early in chapter 8, Jesus noted that the good soil are those who hear the word with a generous heart, protect it and bear fruit because of their endurance. When Jesus’ kin appear they help him sharpen his explanation.

Jesus family are those who hear the word of God and do it. His mother, Mary, indeed heard the word and welcomed it even though she could not understand it. It literally grew in her and became her son, Jesus. She protected the word before it became flesh and after with her generous heart and life.

It is wise that we call on Mary and ask her to help us endure so that we can give birth to the word of God by what we say and do.