Have we ever asked ourselves why we don’t get more out of Mass? It’s sad to say, but true, that sometimes we get nothing out of Mass. Have we ever noticed that we’re not growing in our faith? We might realize that we haven’t grown in a year or two.

Deep down, we want to grow; we want to be better and grow in our faith. I’ve had moments when I’ve grown closer to God, had spiritual insights and those are precious moments. I love it when I come to Mass and come out spiritually enriched!

One reason why we don’t get anything out of Mass, why we’re not growing is because, maybe only subconsciously, we’re not ready or willing to grow. For example, we don’t come to Mass ready to listen and be challenged; we’re not eager to learn. We may come to Mass and think about other things (e.g. “Is that Fr. Mario? He looks different: taller and younger.”), we’re distracted, looking around, we haven’t prepared ourselves—all of which says we’re really not expecting to get anything from God, even though He wants to give us so much.

It says in today’s Gospel: Jesus “ told them many things in parables.” The Catechism says the parables are like mirrors (546): “will [we] be hard soil or good earth for the word?” Are we open to God’s word or closed-minded? Are we willing to change if God asks us to change our lives?

In the Gospel, only one out of four types of soil bears good fruit. So we could imagine that during today’s Mass only one out of four people will receive what God wants to give them. Why? Because we’re not good soil for God.

Someone might ask me, “Father, why doesn’t God tell me what I’m supposed to do with my life? I’ll do anything.” “Have you thought about being a priest?” I ask. “Anything but that,” he replies.

Would we listen and obey if God were to say to us today, “Don’t waste your money on that new cell phone.” Why? “Because you don’t really need it.” Would we be open to God if He were to ask us to do the following?

• Instead of renovating your house just to make it even nicer, you could use that money for the poor.

• Would you spend 15 minutes with today in prayer, or more?

• Can you forgive your spouse, children, co-workers, parents for what they did to you?

• Stop being greedy, angry, lustful, and proud.

You see, we only hear God when we’re willing to listen and do what He asks of us.

He’s very respectful: He doesn’t force us to love Him. He wants us to come to love Him freely. That’s how love works. When we meet someone we find attractive, we don’t go up them, grab them by the shoulders and say, “Love me!” Instead, we ask them out for coffee, get to know them, hoping that they get to know us and so come to love us freely.

Because He loves us so much, and wants us to love Him back freely, He waits for our permission. Bl. Mother Teresa has a famous quote: “Give God permission.” When we give God that permission, amazing things happen.

For many years, I resisted God’s teaching on fasting. Jesus speaks of it, all the saints did it, and it makes sense, but I resisted because it’s hard and I like to eat. But when I gave God permission and decided to fast, it became a blessing: I was able to concentrate more, I was more focused, and I could let go of less important things.

I know a number of people who carry a Mass journal with them. They’re very intent about listening to what God is saying to them. Before Mass, they pray, “Show me one way I can become a better version of myself. Show me one way I can grow today, become holier, and more like You.” When they hear that one thing, then they write it down on one page of their journal. They’ve told me it works, and I know personally that it works.

After the homily, let’s take 30 seconds to renew your desire, our openness to what God asks of us. Mass will always be fruitful if we do this. We’ll always grow if we do this. Give God permission.