Mt 13:1-23
Dear Friends Today we begin the first of three Sundays exploring 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. Even though the parables are prone to different interpretations, they all lead to an insight into 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 coming to terms with 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 yield on the seed sown.
For Jesus, the primary message of the kingdom relates to the human heart. It is in the heart where one finds the struggle between sin and grace, love and hatred, inclusion and exclusion and, in today’s example, between the weeds and the wheat.
Consequently, we can enter into the world of Jesus' parable and draw some interpretations. The first item 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. The seeds are cast on al kinds of soil.
Of course, "all people" has always had the difficulty of Christians inevitably having a group of "those people" or outsiders who were not to be included. Many decades ago, it was the Protestants and divorced. Recently, the gays and the Muslims were at the top of the charts for "those people."
Today, we are filling the void made by progress in societal understanding and acceptance of yesterday’s rejects with new rejects, transgenders. The fractured human heart will make sure we will never run short of groups to isolate and discard.
A second point to consider was the return of thirty, sixty, and one hundred fold. These numbers are outrageous. Even more outrageous is God's love. The heart is the home of that good soil that opens up to incredible new possibilities even in this dark valley of tears.
The parable of the Sower reveals a mystery in life, a possibility of an explosion of love that is hidden in the ordinary flow of events. 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 reconciliation that guides us in seeking to create a new world of justice, healing and peace. Acceptance of Jesus' call is the transition to a innovative world of acceptance and service, the beginning of God's reign here and now. In Jesus' lottery, the winning combination is 30, 60, and 100. The prize is in victory of love over hate, peace over violence, harmony over division and a human heart with a deep sense of wholeness and integrity.
Today’s parable of the Sower celebrates the universality of the gospel. There are no outsiders in Jesus’ agenda. It is a program of indiscriminate love and tolerance.
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 coming to terms with 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 yield on the seed sown.
For Jesus, the primary message of the kingdom relates to the human heart. It is in the heart where one finds the struggle between sin and grace, love and hatred, inclusion and exclusion and, in today’s example, between the weeds and the wheat.
Consequently, we can enter into the world of Jesus' parable and draw some interpretations. The first item 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. The seeds are cast on al kinds of soil.
Of course, "all people" has always had the difficulty of Christians inevitably having a group of "those people" or outsiders who were not to be included. Many decades ago, it was the Protestants and divorced. Recently, the gays and the Muslims were at the top of the charts for "those people."
Today, we are filling the void made by progress in societal understanding and acceptance of yesterday’s rejects with new rejects, transgenders. The fractured human heart will make sure we will never run short of groups to isolate and discard.
A second point to consider was the return of thirty, sixty, and one hundred fold. These numbers are outrageous. Even more outrageous is God's love. The heart is the home of that good soil that opens up to incredible new possibilities even in this dark valley of tears.
The parable of the Sower reveals a mystery in life, a possibility of an explosion of love that is hidden in the ordinary flow of events. 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 reconciliation that guides us in seeking to create a new world of justice, healing and peace. Acceptance of Jesus' call is the transition to a innovative world of acceptance and service, the beginning of God's reign here and now. In Jesus' lottery, the winning combination is 30, 60, and 100. The prize is in victory of love over hate, peace over violence, harmony over division and a human heart with a deep sense of wholeness and integrity.
Today’s parable of the Sower celebrates the universality of the gospel. There are no outsiders in Jesus’ agenda. It is a program of indiscriminate love and tolerance.
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