Mt 13:1-9
Dear Friends Todays message of the Sower is the first of three Sundays proclaiming 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 eight and ten percent was considered a very good yield on the seed sown.
In todays parable of the Sower. we are invited to compare the Word we receive to a seed. Each week we are summoned to once again hear the Word. The Church offers us the liturgy as a fruitful ground to encourage the growth of the Word in our heart and in our life. It is our task to let the Word blossom into the fruitful growth of the kingdom of service and love.
The parable of the Sower lets us know there was a range of responses to Jesus message in the early church. The same is true today. Even more so is it true in the depth of our hearts where the acceptance of Gods Word is always in turbulence and ambiguity. We need to continue the struggle to be generous enough to produce the thirtyfold and sixtyfold and one hundredfold.
For Jesus, the primary challenge of the kingdom relates to the human heart. It is in the heart where one resolves the struggle between sin and grace, love and hatred, inclusion and exclusion and, in todays example, between the weeds and the wheat.
Consequently, we can enter into the world of Jesus' parable and draw some true wisdom. The seeds are cast on all kinds of soil. 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 been a difficult choice for all Christians down through history. inevitably having a group of "those people" or outsiders who were not to be included has been a universal challenge for all followers of Christ. For centuries it has been the racial issue. 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 yesterdays rejects with new rejects, Today, transgenders are moving to become the top target of rejection. The fractured human heart will make sure we will never run short of groups to isolate and discard.
Another point to consider was the return of thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and one hundredfold. These numbers are outrageous. In the time of Jesus, an eight to ten percent level of return was considered very productive. 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 an innovative world of acceptance and inclusion, the beginning of God's reign here and now. 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 and freedom.
Todays 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.
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 eight and ten percent was considered a very good yield on the seed sown.
In todays parable of the Sower. we are invited to compare the Word we receive to a seed. Each week we are summoned to once again hear the Word. The Church offers us the liturgy as a fruitful ground to encourage the growth of the Word in our heart and in our life. It is our task to let the Word blossom into the fruitful growth of the kingdom of service and love.
The parable of the Sower lets us know there was a range of responses to Jesus message in the early church. The same is true today. Even more so is it true in the depth of our hearts where the acceptance of Gods Word is always in turbulence and ambiguity. We need to continue the struggle to be generous enough to produce the thirtyfold and sixtyfold and one hundredfold.
For Jesus, the primary challenge of the kingdom relates to the human heart. It is in the heart where one resolves the struggle between sin and grace, love and hatred, inclusion and exclusion and, in todays example, between the weeds and the wheat.
Consequently, we can enter into the world of Jesus' parable and draw some true wisdom. The seeds are cast on all kinds of soil. 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 been a difficult choice for all Christians down through history. inevitably having a group of "those people" or outsiders who were not to be included has been a universal challenge for all followers of Christ. For centuries it has been the racial issue. 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 yesterdays rejects with new rejects, Today, transgenders are moving to become the top target of rejection. The fractured human heart will make sure we will never run short of groups to isolate and discard.
Another point to consider was the return of thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and one hundredfold. These numbers are outrageous. In the time of Jesus, an eight to ten percent level of return was considered very productive. 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 an innovative world of acceptance and inclusion, the beginning of God's reign here and now. 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 and freedom.
Todays 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.
