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Gospel: 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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There are different ways of accepting the Word of God. The fruit it bears depends on a person’s heart.
In the Gospel today, the same Word is spoken to different listeners. Some receive it without understanding; the Evil One whispers lies in their heart, stealing what was sown.
Others receive the Word with joy, but their faith lacks any root. Once a trial comes their way, their faith is the first thing to go.
Others receive the Word, but prefer the things of this world to the things that are eternal.
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Finally, there are those whose hearts are like rich, fertile soil. They hear the Word and are permanently changed by it.
But consider the effort it takes to make soil fertile – and by extension, a human heart open to the Word of God.
In order to make soil fertile, you must dig into it; break it; and repeatedly separate it. That period of chaos is what opens the ground, allowing it to receive seeds, and ultimately, to give life.
Any sturdy plant was once a tiny seed placed inside broken, fertile soil.
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What does this mean for us?
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Our hearts are most fertile after being broken.
Think of any stressful, frustrating, or traumatic experience. In those moments, it feels like we’ve been tossed about – broken inside – much like rich, fertile soil.
They are blessed, Jesus says, the ones who turn to him in that hour. It’s then that the Word of God has the greatest chance to take deep root within us, to change us, and to bear good fruit.
As Saint Paul says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
These gifts come from within; they’re the fruit of a broken heart receptive to the Word of God.
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How receptive am I to the Word of God?
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“The seed sown on rich soil,” Jesus says, “is the one who hears and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
May we turn to the Lord in our darkest hours, knowing that when we’re broken, the Word has the greatest potential to take root within, transforming us for the better.
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Image credits: (1) Tumblr, Amazing Inspirational Quotes (2) TechCrunch (3) Iowa Agriculture Literacy