Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 50; Matthew 13:24-30
In the first reading of today, we have an account of God’s covenant with His people marked with the blood of animals. The covenant is that the people would obey all that the Lord has commanded them.
It is important to note that the people are bound to obey all that the Lord has commanded, “all” means everything, not some, there is no negotiation.
God doesn’t force obedience on anyone but He doesn’t accept selective obedience.
The sin of many people today is not that we don’t obey but that we choose what we want to obey. “I will obey God in this and that but not in this and that.” This is not how it works with God.
Let us ask ourselves, how obedient am I to the Lord? Do I heed His instruction, His word, His teaching, the prompting of His Spirit? Do I obey the Lord in all things or in certain areas and follow my own will in other areas? Are there areas of my life that have not being brought under obedience to Christ?
This is the language of disobedience “Lord, I know what you command but I choose not to do it because my will is more important than yours and I can choose to do whatever I like, I know there is a consequence of disobedience, I freely choose it, you can do what you want.” This is the kind of language that the devil wants us to speak, you will agree with me that this Is a dangerous language.
In the Gospel of today, we have the parable about the enemy that sowed darnel among wheat. This parable tells us about the activities of the devil, he operates freely when we are spiritually asleep or lacking in vigilance, he seeks to sow bad seeds anywhere he gets a space; in the church, family, society, in a group, among friends.
He seeks to sow doubt of God’s love and disobedience in the heart of children of God.
We must be vigilant and discerning, St James says resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7), St Peter says he is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, stand up to Him strong in faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).
May the Lord help us to stand against the activities and schemes of the devil, may we obey and surrender to the Lord in all things.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on July 24, 2021