20260712 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

[그리움하나]

(Is 55:10-11, Rom 8:18-23, Mt 13:1-23): Grace Seeping into Parched Lives: Bearing the Fruits of Life Amidst Trials

\My dear brothers and sisters, as we already enter the second week of July, time seems to be passing by so busily. I hope this can be a moment for us to pause, catch our breath, and reflect on its meaning—so that our days do not simply slip away unnoticed, but rather, so that we may live each and every moment with deep purpose.

Even if this life was given to us without our own choice, how beautiful and precious it is to discover the existence of One who loves us! To hold onto the joy and gratitude that overflows in our hearts—even without conscious effort—and to share that warmth with those who journey alongside us is truly a blessed thing. The ultimate gift, which no one else can awaken or fulfill for us, is the "meaning of life" that we ourselves must give to the time and space entrusted to us.

This is an inherent desire of our nature, one that can never be satisfied by merely existing on this earth and then disappearing. It is also the very hope that God has first implanted in our souls from birth. Though the memories of our lives will one day scatter into the wind and the dust, that is alright. Nothing is more incomparably valuable than leaving behind the fragrance of consolation and love for those who breathe the same air today, and offering our lives as an example of the path to true happiness for the souls of those we have encountered.

In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 11, the Lord says: "So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."

Just before this, He reminds us that His word is like the rain and snow that bring life to the earth.

There are fountains that shoot up in brilliant shapes and colors, only to fall back down repeatedly. They merely please the human eye and appeal to a passing emotion. However, the raindrops that seep into the ground and hide their presence are different. The snow that settles upon the earth to help it endure the dry, biting cold of winter is the same. Without boasting of their appearance, they infuse the parched land with the warmth of life.

In the same way, the Word of the Lord seeps into the soul of those who receive it, gently renewing their lives. It breathes vitality into the life they build through their words, actions, and thoughts, bringing a positive change to their relationships. It touches hearts through faithfulness and becomes the foundation that transmits the strength to live. By doing so, the closed doors of the souls of those we meet will begin to open. It is a warm invitation, gently extended so that we may draw one step closer to God and steer our rudders toward true joy and salvation; that is precisely what the Word of the Lord is.

Yet, this journey toward a blessed life is not possible simply because our lives are always filled with good things. Whenever I want to feel the breath of the Lord lingering over my life, I look through the records of my past. Whenever time permitted, I poured my emotions into my diaries, the meditation notebooks I held onto to remain in the Lord’s Word daily, the records of my homily preparations, and the manuscripts I meticulously organized to proclaim His Word in various places. I even take out photographs captured wherever my feet have trod, piecing together the fragments of past memories.

When I do, the experiences and emotions buried within those years come alive completely, bearing the marks of time. Naturally, those records include moments of sorrow and hardship that I had to overcome alone, as well as times of trial so sharp and cold that words cannot fully express them.

How many crises have you also endured to stand here at this very moment? And even now, each of you is likely living while swallowing your own deep anxieties and pains. Yet, looking back, I dare say that all those times of trial are like a destiny given to us—unwanted, yet unavoidable. They are the inevitable conditions of our lives, as we live together with our respective imperfections, rubbing shoulders rather than walking alone.

However, what truly matters is our attitude—how we accept and overcome them.

In the Letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verses 18 and 23, Saint Paul proclaims:

"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us... [and] we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies."

This word does not, by any means, take lightly the sufferings that each of us is bearing. Even when we experience pain that is impossible to understand or accept, remember the moments when we overcome it within His grace. It means we should have the firm conviction that the Holy Spirit of the Lord understands our soul more deeply than anyone else, and helps us with all His love, groaning alongside us. And it points to the time when we will look back at those trials again within the grace of the Lord—who turns everything into the best possible outcome. We will truly behold the mercy and love of the Lord alive among us, and be able to give Him praise and glory.

This kind of hope is not merely about confirm‎ing the final result; it encompasses the entire process of accepting and maturing through it all. This is because the meaning of our life will be determined by the vessel and direction with which we receive the reality that confronts us.

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13, verse 12, the Lord says: "To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

In our lives, where practical pain and joy coexist, there are those who seek the Lord's will with a broken spirit and earnestly strive to fulfill it. A person who possesses such depth of heart and soul will surely overcome all things and bear a better, spiritual fruit—one that is entirely different from worldly success. On the other hand, those who reject His Word, preventing it from dwelling deep within their souls, may fall into the error of belittling their own precious lives.

I pray that the phrase "If you can't avoid it, enjoy it" does not become a cliché consolation for you. Even in the midst of suffering that must inevitably be accepted, I pray that we may rather implore the Lord for His wisdom and strength. I also hope you will add the courage to solidify today, never giving up amidst difficulties. For dreams do not fail to come true because they are impossible; rather, they become unreachable only because we give up. Instead of sinking into despair with mere groans, dreams become reality for those who nevertheless stand up again and walk.

In the following verse 23 of the Gospel, the Lord tells us: "But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

Let us ask for the wisdom to use our current experiences of suffering and trial as a stepping stone to accept life more deeply and grow in maturity. Through this Holy Mass, I pray with all my heart that all of you may make this a season of grace, steadfastly and beautifully bearing the fruits of life. Amen.