In today’s Gospel Jesus tells the parable of the sower to the crowd. Jesus was clearly concerned about how people are being affected and how they regard Scriptures. Jesus mentioned at least four situations using the fate of the seed after a sower sowed them. The growth of the seed depends so much on where it is sown. If it lands on path, rocky ground, or among the thorns, it will either not grow at all or will not reach its full growth or potential.
In the same way, the Word of God, if not accepted well and lived, it will not benefit us.
Words may be underrated as to their effectivity compared to actions, but they are, nevertheless, effective and useful when understood and lived. Words are composed of letters which when joined together send ideas which we equate with experiences. Depending on how aptly and deeply we understand them, will they affect us and, maybe, change our lives.
How many times have we read something, heard speeches, listened to a homily and we were so touched we took them with us? We are always fascinated and moved by great words, quotable quotes, and wise sayings. Jesus was an expert on that. He used parable and actual human experiences to drive home His points. But how many times, too, have we forgotten them and act as if we had never heard those words of wisdom and teachings before? Jesus was right in reminding us that we shift to be a path, rocky ground, or a thorn, rather than a good soil to His Words. Jesus words were meant to last.
They were not only meant for a particular situation in our lives or for our convenience. His words were meant to be lived always. His words should be our way of life. Maybe we can learn from how we treasure and preserve things and ideas in our lives. Nowadays, when we see something as important, like an idea, we file them, review them, and relive them. On social media, we post them whenever they are relevant or when we are again inspired by them. We do not let them be forgotten or lost. When we constantly remember them, utter them, and make them real in our lives, we imbibe them and make them our way of life. When that happens, the word, like a seed in good soil, grows and bear fruit.
We should not be like some of those who post beautiful words but do not live them. We can even doubt whether their purpose was to share a good idea for others to benefit from. Some, unfortunately, share wise words only to be praised and recognized for doing so. That will not amount to anything beneficial. In fact, it is a misuse, abuse, and disrespect of the Word of God.
The Word of God is meant to guide us in this life so we can journey towards the Kingdom. They are not easy to understand, much more to be lived. Yet, we need to hear, understand, live, and share it in order for us to be truly worthy of them. Much more, we need to let others benefit from it to. This last is the limitation of the soil. The message goes beyond the parable.
Bearing Fruit:
One thing is very certain; the Word of God is forever available and accessible to us. We are the ones who must render ourselves receptive of the Word of God. To be receptive of the Word of God is to make oneself available, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for the germination, maturation and fruitfulness of the Word through a healthy Christian style of life; in prayer and in good works. Being receptive of the Word of God is always followed by the capacity to yield great harvest, bringing forth fruits that will last. God our Creator requests of us fruitfulness and productivity, made possible by the Holy Spirit who makes the power of the Word of God most manifest in us, and through us to the whole world. This power keeps us firm in hope as we anticipate the full manifestation of the promises of God at the end of time. In fact, in the words of the Second Reading (Romans 8:18-23), “creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God.” The Word of God not only makes us fruitful but also makes us free. Through the power of the Word of God, we become free to live for God.
May God, make us receptive of His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit, because outside God’s Word we have no life in us. Through the power in His Word, may we be recreated, transformed and most fruitful for the greater glory of His Name.
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