Matthew 13: 1- 23
Dear Friends,
Today we begin the first of three Sundays on parables from chapter thirteen of St. Matthew. A parable is simply a story taken from the ordinary events of daily life that leads to a deep insight into reality. Often the parables are prone to different interpretations. They all lead to an insight of the main message of Jesus, the Kingdom of God. They unveil the saving presence of God in our ordinary human experience.
Today's parable is about the sower of the seeds. A few facts about the agricultural practice at the time of Jesus are very helpful in grasping the message of the parable.
First of all, the casting of the seed so indiscriminately does not seem like a bright idea. However, it makes a little more sense when one realizes the Jewish custom was to plow after the sowing. Most of the world does the opposite.
Secondly, a return between seven and ten percent was considered a very good return on the seed sown.
Consequently, we can enter into the world of Jesus' parable and draw some conclusions. Conclusion number one is that Jesus' message is for all people no matter what their circumstances. The universal call is at the heart of Jesus' message. Everyone is welcome at the table.
Of course, "all people" has always had the difficulty of Christians inevitably having a group of "those people" who were not to be included. Many decades ago, it was the Protestants and divorced. Recently, the gays and the Muslims are at the top of the charts for "those people." Then we have the slow, painful and tedious road to freedom for racial justice that truly has been the original sin of our nation.
A second point to consider was the return of thirty, sixty, and one hundred-fold. These numbers are outrageous. So too is God's love. The heart that is the good soil opens up to incredible new possibilities in this dark valley of tears.
The parable of the sower tells us that reality reveals a mystery of life, a possibility of an explosion of love that is hidden in the ordinary. Reality is impregnated with a graciousness and giftedness beyond our dreams when we embrace the call of Jesus. The upshot of the yes to Jesus leads to a new life of freedom and healing that guides us to seek to create a new world of justice and peace. Acceptance of Jesus' call is the transition to a new world of reconciliation and service. The beginning of God's reign starts here and now wherever there is self-sacrificing love. In Jesus' lottery, the winning combination is 30, 60, and 100. The prize is in the victory of love over hate, peace over violence, harmony over division and a human heart with a deep sense of wholeness and integrity.
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