When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.
“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
REFLECTION
"embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
Mr. F: When was the last time you fed the azaleas?
Me: I did not know you needed to feed them.
Mr. F: You know you have 4 Sago palms growing in one? We will need to cut off the three and clean up the one Sago palm
Me: Did not know that!
And so went my estimate from the landscaper!!!
Today’s parable and the visit from the nursery man, bring to light the importance of cultivating my soul’s garden.
I am glad he did not ask me when was the last time I mulched. Perhaps he knew the answer already and did not need to make his point that lack of care was the cause of my poor flower beds not doing well.
The garden and the flower beds were once beautiful. Time, other responsibilities, lack of care, too many other priorities and “we were young once” led to this mess of a garden.
I had not cultivated my garden, assumed that things would not change nor that nourishment and care were a "must". Now rocks, leaves, weeds, dead bushes and poison ivy needed to be removed.
The reading allows me to see the garden of my soul in a different way. There always is a need to let the expert (the Holy Spirit) clean out my mess and let grace in.
The sower, Jesus, plants the seeds and we are nourished through confession, Holy Mass, the sacraments and our willingness to grow in Him. In hearts hardened by evil thoughts, deeds and lack of contrition, the devil comes and takes away the word from them.
Discipline in our prayer life, strong desire to stay away from the near occasion of sin, knowledge about ourselves and how we react when questioned, talked down to or when anxiety takes over will help in receiving the divine mercy and graces of God. All sacrifices made for love of God will also help our souls bear fruit
Forget the emotions and pray instead. Forget wanting not to give up injuries by others but pray instead. Avoid people who are a bad influence. Follow His footsteps, seek and find Him. Let the Holy Spirit tend our souls and help us become good ground.
God is always planting seeds. Don’t allow your soul to become trodden, full of dead leaves, weeds, poison ivy and dead plants. Be ready —listen, be contrite, sacrifice, pray and let confession clean out sin and always be willing to start over again.
Alleluia, Alleluia: Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. Alleluia, Alleluia
Thank you Olivia! God bless you! 💕