Matthew 13:18-23

Lectio (Reading)

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on… [path, rocky ground, thorns, rich soil]

Oratio (Responding)

I love this parable. It is so indicative of different types of human nature. We humans, are so much like this in actual practice.

Thinking about your spirtual life specifically. Some look at faith as a fad or a temporary thing, and they are easily snatched away by the evil one. Some go to a retreat, and get revved up and then when they go back to their lives, they quickly return to their old bad habits. Some truly faithful people are raised around pagans or allow the lure of riches to pull them away, and their faith is choked out…, it is so sad! But some are able to go to that retreat, and come home and make lasting changes, in their lives, and the faith blossoms and blooms into a beautiful thing producing much fruit.

Some context on the harvest…, the Palestinian farmer was normally happy with with 7 to 10 fold on their planting. Meaning for every seed planted you would get back 7 to 10 fruits. So a harvest of 30 / 60 / 100 would be completely unbelieveable, but this is what god means for us through our works of evangelization, and it is what we should strive for in our lives and ministries.

The important thing that we need to consider for this parable is that just because your soil is not receptive at this moment, it may be rocky or infested with weeds, and the seed does not find its purchase right away, it does not mean that your soil always has to be that way. We must learn to cultavate our soil. If we find ourselves in rocky soil, or in thorns, you might have to do some weeding and raking to be ready to recieve the seed of God’s word. If you are on the hard path you may need a jackhammer, to break up the rocks and get down to rich soil…, but we need to do whatever we can to prepare ourselves to be open to what God has for us, and make ourselves into rich soil.

This may mean changing who you live or hang out with, it may mean changing what you read, or watch or browse. It may mean dedicating your daily routine to prayer, and fasting. But you must do something, because God’s seed is waiting for you to recieve it.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)