Which Type of Soil is Your Heart?
Brethren, in the gospel today, we are presented with the parable of the Sower, who went out to sow and as he sowed: Some seeds fell on the path and were pecked by the birds, some on the rocky ground and were scorched by the sun, some in the thorns and withered because of lack of roots and others on good soil and brought forth a hundredfold. Surprisingly, Jesus meant how we receive the word of God and how it has power in our lives if we receive and live it.
The seed sown is the word of God; the word we all hear at Mass every day. The different soils are the hearts that listen and receive the word being read and preached. Some are sleeping and they take nothing home for that day, some are absent-minded, filled with rocky soil and before they step out of the church they have forgotten everything said at mass; some are there with worries racing through their minds; thinking about salary, thinking about what wife and children will eat or thinking about a life-partner and, before they reach home, the word is stifled out of them. Then, some listen with rapt attention; they reflect on the reading and preaching of the day. For such people, the word of God becomes a lamp unto their feet and a guide on their path and they never stumble! Which soil is your heart today?
We are accustomed to seeing the effects of Advertising. When youngsters see ways of dressing or combing their hair in films or on TV, they imitate them immediately and easily because they have passion for them. But, Why is the Gospel so slow in entering our hearts? Jesus tells us that it depends on the soil. This soil is our hearts, the way we open our hearts to the word of God is the way it bears fruit in our lives. If we open them wide open for the word of God to enter and rule, then we shall bear much fruits but if we close them, then, we shall bear no fruit.
The types of soil which Jesus talks about in the Gospel today can reflect our hearts and let us take time today to examine ourselves. What makes us receive the word of God and live it and on the other hand what takes away that Word from us. Jesus tells us that some seeds are pecked up by birds, others scorched by the sun, and others choked by thistles or thorns. What are my pecking birds, my scorching sun, my choking thistles which annihilate the seed Jesus sows in me? Realising these will enable us to appreciate the Word of God more.
Brethren, Jesus sowed a seed in us and is always sowing in us. This seed is the Word of God. As a sower expects rich harvest after sowing, so is Jesus expecting the fruits of His seed down in us. At last, there must be something you and I can show to the Lord with pride and gratitude: ‘Look, this is the seed you gave me; it has grown, developed, and here is your harvest’. Jesus, too, reflected on his mission to establish his Father’s sovereignty on earth. Jesus, too, got depressed and wondered if he was getting anywhere. It was only when he had failed utterly, alone, deserted and tortured, that his perseverance won the crown. Jesus doesn’t want the successful; He wants the failures as His followers and that is where the harvest lies.
Reflect today on how you receive the Word of God in your life. Do you put effort to understand the word of God so that Evil will not take it away from you as birds peck seeds which fall on pathways? Does the Word of God have roots in you, or it will be scorched by the sun as seeds on the rock? Do you allow worldly lures and pleasures choke the seed of the word of God in you? Is the good soil where the word of God flourishes and produces fruits? Pray for the spirit to make the word of God flourish in you.
Let us pray.
Lord, by grace, let nothing take away, scorch or choke the seed of the Word of God you planted in me. May it produce fruit in me so that whoever sees my good works may give praise to Father in heaven. Amen
Blessed Day
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