Good Soil

‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ Matthew 13:18-23

The parables about seeds and growth are very appropriate for this season. We are finally in a place, here in New England, to put plants in the garden and sow seeds as well. When the nights are too cold, the plants and seeds will be damaged, so we have had to wait. Often, I am very hardworking and zealous in the spring, getting the gardens going and ridding the beds of weeds. As the summer progresses, I can get lazier and lazier, letting the weeds take over. We all know how easy it is for the weeds to take over our lives of faith. Anger, resentments, church fights, shunning all lead us to undermine our faith and work for power alone. May we take the call of Jesus, to be good soil, taking daily care of our spirits and using our lives for the good of others.

Gracious Creator, you have given us an abundance

of rain and sunshine, soft earth to plant again in spring

and hearts full of love for the care and feeding of others.

We often find ourselves in a drought of the spirit

times when anger brings us to the edge of real violence

when we could be clearing the weeds and restoring the soil.

Help us to examine our hearts and minds today

help us to rid our lives of the weeds of anger and hurt

so we might be abundant and fruitful with your love. Amen.