Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“The seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:18-23

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."

Today’s Gospel reading is a rather simple message with many intertwined lessons sewn together. Today’s gospel is the continuation of the parable of the sower from Wednesday. The sower is God spreading his word among the people. When he casts out his message, sometimes the message fall upon deaf ears; some people hear the message but do not care; while others grasp the message and grow in the word. For the first person, the seed of God’s word falls upon the path. The soil along the path is trampled and hardened not allowing the seed in to receive the nourishment of the soil. The one who does not get the message is a person whose heart is hardened. This person does not understand the word of God because he does not know his love and compassion. This person has not opened their heart to others to accept the light which surrounds him. The absence of love allows Satan to darken his soul. A seed does not grow in darkness. The seed is trampled and does not prosper.

The second seed of God is sown in the briar patch. This is a person who hears the word and knows the word, but allows earthly vices to control their lives and choke out the Word of God. The weeds are those things in our lives that prevent us from fully accepting and nourishing the Word of God. These are things that rob our seeds of needed nutrients to make them grown strong. While the seed sprouts; it is weak. It does not grow into maturity because the weeds in our life choke the plant.

The last seed sown is on fertile soil. This is the person with an open heart and a receptive mind. Jesus tells us, “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.” This last verse tells us the importance of having fertile soil within our hearts. Not only will the word of God grow within us; but we will produce new fruits and new fruits produce new seeds. The seeds that we produce must also be sown. In the gospel reading, one seed had the ability to produced 100 new children of Christ, another 60 and yet another 30.

When we allow the Word of God to grow in the fertile soil of our soul, we are also commanded to spread that word with others. This message tells us that some of the people we meet will not hear us and some will hear us but will be consumed with earthly treasures. However, some of our seeds will again fall on fertile soil. It does no good to let the Word of God in and then conceal the word from others. St. Francis of Assisi tells us to preach the gospel daily and if necessary use words. The most fertile seeds that we sow are our actions. They are the things that come from our examples. Your example is the loudest message of all. Cherish the word and share it with others.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, my soul is for you.

I pray that I am receptive to your word

I pray that my soil is fertile and can grow the seeds you have sown

I pray that the seeds become fruitful and that which I produce is plenty.

I pray that the seeds that are sown from my fruit are sown on fertile ground.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon