Subtle as the gentle rain and, at times, overwhelming like a torrent, the word of God is never ineffective (Isaiah 55:10-11). It is the good news of about God’s saving love and a call to us to respond in the self-entrustment of faith (Matthew 13:1-23).

A symphony of hope

Deutero-Isaiah unfailing in his consolation and encouragement to his people in exile tried to lift up their spirit with God’s call, “Come to me. . . I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David” (55:3). The invitation is to the eschatological banquet for the thirsty and hungry poor (anawim), “All you who are thirsty, come to the water!. . . drink wine and milk!” “You shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.”

The divine pledge for these marks of an eschatological era and security of prosperity is assured to all who give heed to Him. “Incline your ear and come to me; listen, that you may have life.” The call to repentance means abandoning wicked ways and sinful plans, and turning back to God “who freely forgives.” Evidently, God’s plans and ways are not our ways and plans; God’s ways and plans are high above our plans and ways. The promise is given to the exiled people, “Yes, in joy you shall depart, in peace you shall be brought back home” (55:12).

Certainty based on God’s word

“I give you my word!” is God’s dramatic assurance through the prophet. In the ancient world, rain was always understood as one of the most treasured gifts of the gods. For Deutero-Isaiah, rain is a symbol of something far more vital: the loving, powerful and redeeming word of God. Precipitation in the form of rain and snow originates from the heavens, waters the earth and makes it fertile, then returns to the heavens, its purpose accomplished.

So it is with the word of God. Just as the waters from the sky bring growth and abundance on barren soil, so did God’s word bring forth life from the clay (Genesis 2:7), called Israel out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1) and made Cyrus to be anointed for the sake of God’s own people (Isaiah 44:27-28). We can be confident that what God has spoken will be done. We are totally dependent on the word of God; it is consistent and reliable like the working of the natural world. Just as nature produces miracles we can rely upon and because of which we survive in this world, so the word of God brings forth miracles we can rely upon and because of which we can live.

God’s word in us, a miracle

The parable of the sower might as well be entitled the parable of the soils because it is the varied reception that God’s word as the seed gets from the various types of people that is the focus here. Jesus knew that there would be difficulties and resistance to His preaching and the establishment of the reign of God. But the kingdom of God would as surely and richly come like the harvest he described. Beyond any Palestinian farmer’s expectation, it would be harvest of a 100- and 60- and 30-fold.

This miraculous yield stands for the “good soil” of those receptive to Jesus’ gospel. Unlike those who do not understand the proclamation of Jesus, or the fair-weather believers who would exclude the cross and persecution, and those distracted by worldly interests from their good intentions, there are those followers who hear, understand and live the word, and who indeed bear fruit and yield rich harvests. The inevitability of the reign of God has always empowered the disciples to be invincible in the face of persecution and hardships.

Alálaong bagá, the word of God will accomplish the purpose for which God sent it. The believers who hear this word will bear fruits and yield harvests for us all. God’s word is sown in the words of Scripture, in the words of liturgy, in the words of the sacraments, in the living tradition of the community of the faithful. We have no problem receiving what agrees with our own thinking or point of view or theological stance. What can be very difficult is to be open to thoughts and ideas that challenge us and force us to reevaluate what may be dear to us. The issue is the disposition of the soil. It can be that God works through well- known or unlikely sowers, through the leaders or ordinary members of the community, through an outsider or someone we do not particularly like, through an elder or even a child. How do we receive God’s word so prodigally sown for our benefits? There is no other way; the measure of our blessedness is our hearing the word of God and observing it (Luke 11:28), because it is by our obedience to the word of God that we belong to the family of Jesus (Luke 8:21).  

For more of my reflections and works, visit my blogsite: http://alalaongbaga.multiply.com.

Editorial: The SSS transition

THE timing has become the story—or at least, that’s how it has unfolded—in the confirmation by Palace officials that top-class accountant Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo is leaving the Social Security System (SSS) this month, and will be replaced by controversial Senate witness Romulo Neri, touted by colleagues to have extensive knowledge in the capital markets.

Outside the Box: The high-oil-price deception

Every time you read the newspaper or listen to the TV or radio, you are being deceived. Every time you put gasoline into your car, you might be a victim of a global 1-2-3 swindle. Every time you nod your head in agreement that oil prices are supposed to be this high, a small group may be laughing all the way to the bank with your money.

William Pesek: Bring on Mad Max to make more of Asia’s energy

As central bankers lose sleep over inflation, one Japanese politician has a decidedly contrarian take on things: Bring it on.

About Town: Light rail is best option

Early this year, the government announced it intends to buy out a private consortium which built and currently owns the Edsa Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 line under a build-lease-transfer scheme.

Tax Law for Business: Taxability of productivity incentive bonuses and ‘de minimis’ benefits

Most companies would agree that in order to maintain a good work force, it is essential to keep workers motivated. Motivation, which is the reason for one’s engaging in a particular behavior, may be intrinsic (those internal to the person, such as satisfaction one feels from the job) or extrinsic (those external, such as money or rewards).

Alálaong bagá: God’s word and us

Subtle as the gentle rain and, at times, overwhelming like a torrent, the word of God is never ineffective (Isaiah 55:10-11). It is the good news of about God’s saving love and a call to us to respond in the self-entrustment of faith (Matthew 13:1-23).

Reflections from the Mirror: A million thanks!

I believe it is now the best time for me to express my appreciation and gratitude to those kind-hearted individuals and groups that, without being asked, voluntarily gave valuable support to our efforts to provide assistance to all those who suffered loss of property and even lives as a result of killer Typhoon Frank.