The "sower went out to sow . . . "
Matthew 13: 1-23
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071623.cfm
On a walk the other day as I passed by a house where I could not help but stop for a moment to admire their large garden along the sidewalk. There, neatly planted in rows and carefully watered were straight lines of beets, tomato plants, carrots, and some lovely rose bushes. You could tell the plants and seeds were deliberately placed in properly spaced rows to allow for growth and the owners of the home had taken time to care for their crops. They will have a rich and delicious harvest from a beautiful setting.
What this tells us and we certainly realize is that you can’t just put a seed or plant in the ground, walk away and hope for the best to produce the fruits and vegetables you want. It takes some care and nurturing with some “TLC” as we say; some regular water and some sort of food. We prune and weed if necessary, etc. so that the best of each plant will grow and produce fruit. Without that care for the plants, they will either die or never amount to their potential. Such thoughts may apply to our Scriptures this Sunday.
Isaiah also uses earthy images of rain and snow and fertile ground along with seeds that grow. He speaks of God’s word, his grace, the word of Christ himself who is the true Word of God. That voice has not been deterred. No matter what soil is found, God’s intention will not be stifled. He will continue to sow the seeds of his grace that all might come to know him. But in the end, it really is up to us to cooperate with this divine sower; to prepare our “soil” properly for growth.
So we hear today a very familiar parable of Jesus about birds, sun, weeds, and rich dark soil which produces an abundant harvest. Jesus leaves the house and stands along the sea where large crowds gather. The crowd is large so he puts out a short distance and speaks from a boat where his voice may be heard more clearly. He leaves the confines of the house and goes out to speak from the wide unrestricted space, a symbol of the world, where crowds amass quickly to listen. The setting is so simple and ordinary yet ready to receive his teaching.
Not unlike our gathering for the Eucharist. We may know our fellow parishioners by association but, unless they tell us, we don’t really know what is on their mind and heart. Why have they come this Sunday? What questions do they bring? Has the past week been easy or challenging? Are they at peace or worried about some burden they carry? What do we hope Christ will offer us this week or are we at all attentive and open to receive his word and his very self in the Eucharist? Such was not out of the questions to the ancient crowds who came to hear Jesus.
What does Jesus teach them? He teaches with a very common method using imagery to explain the deep truth about God’s grace and his word. If we see the farmer in the parable, which is a better translation of its intent, as Jesus THE sower who has come to scatter the seed of the good news far and wide, then the parable may indeed become even more personal. He calls us to listen and respond. What type of Christian am I and what have I done to receive the message, which should move me to conversion – or not?
The land of ancient Israel was a tough place to grow crops generally. Much of the ground used to plant also became a path, a kind of road, for many to walk on. Considering the constant pounding of feet on the ground, despite the crops around it, the ground became solid, almost like cement over time. Useless to expect any growth possible. Although the area around the Sea of Galilee was more fertile than the rocky dry desert of the south, many people still looked to that Lake around which Jesus was preaching as a source of livelihood. Essentially, it was a mixed bag depending where the farmer would plant his seed.
Our Lord speaks of soil and its condition as too shallow so the seed became food for birds, too rocky, too filled with thorns and weeds, but some fell on fertile and rich soil producing an abundance of crops. Jesus’ own experience was both disappointing, surprising, and joyful. Many rejected his message, especially when they found it too demanding such as love for enemies and his teaching on the eucharist. Others embraced it but it appears not the majority who followed him with mixed intention. Still, the crowds were certainly left with wonderment so the reaction of the disciples may not be a surprise.
After the parable is preached they pull Jesus aside when they have a chance and ask, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” These stories and riddles may confuse them." Jesus recognizes their openness to receive more. They readily admit, “We don’t fully understand but explain it to us.” So, their soil is neither rocky nor available for bird food! The seed of curiosity and a receptive heart has been planted in their now prepared soil.
What Jesus implies in this and other parables is that God gives his grace liberally to everyone without distinction and that grace is the word he shares; it is he that becomes the seed sown. God spreads his seeds of faith and love far and wide. He sent his Son among us to sow (scatter) the good news of salvation through his presence and teaching. However, the problem is not with God but with our own receptiveness at times.
Do I find myself so seduced by the pursuit of wealth, power, prestige, success that my faith becomes simply an afterthought? Have I stubbornly become accustomed to certain prejudices I carry or am I so attached to my own self-interests that I feel I have a “know it all” attitude?
The other day I heard of a comment made by a parishioner about their newly assigned Pastor. He innocently chose to distribute communion on the other side of the altar rail a bit closer to the front pews from where people were approaching. The altar rail had been placed back in to the sanctuary a few years earlier. “Doesn’t he know he should not be there," the parishioner stated. So, they demanded he stand behind the rail. Really? This is more important than who you are receiving in the holy Eucharist? Why do such incidental things matter so much?
The parable Jesus tells is about faith and our own reception of the Gospel message. For those who hear the word of God preached and live it out convincingly, the harvest of a rich community of faith is produced. For those who simply put no effort into the seed of faith they have received, the growth will be poor if at all. In the end, we are all sowers and preachers of the Word. St. Dominic saw this truth when he commented that the whole Church preached the Gospel when the whole Church lived the Gospel. That is where the rich and fertile soil is found. It is both to be receptive to Jesus and his word and then to live out our faith in concrete action through lives of selfless service to others.
So, read and pray over the scriptures, pray, learn about your Catholic faith, do good for others in the name of Christ and your soil will be ready. The Scriptures bear power and presence that is life changing – if we want our lives to be renewed in Christ. Let’s work on our gardens and be careful about the crop the Spirit has planted within us.
In gathering for the Eucharist, we come before this divine sower who is searching for receptive soil. We hear his word, we receive his body, and we nurture our personal soil to keep it fertile but also to use what we do know to not only hear the Gospel but to live it.
O God, who show the light of your truth
to those who go astray, so they may return to the right path,
give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians
the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ
and to strive after all that does it honor.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
(Collect of Mass)
No comments:
Post a Comment