July 10th - Reflection

4th Sunday After Pentecost Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (NRSV) The parable of the sower and the seed That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!" ... "Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." Reflection So much wasted seed here. So much waste yet a wonderful harvest. Sometimes we listen to the Word and take it in a casual sense. Other times we listen and we have a shallow understanding of what we have heard. Then again we listen to the message and can't separate the message from our worldly desires and wishes. But thanks be to God there are those precious moments when we listen to the Word and are responsive. Prayer Lord, as the evil one pesters me and antagonizes, and as I feel the persecution and tribulation of life; grant me the gift that only you can provide in an open mind and an open heart that I may hear your Word and respond in the way you would have me respond...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen