Teaching from the Water

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” Matthew 13:1-9 

I have learned a great deal when by the sea, some about the ocean itself and much about my own self. A calm ocean can invite serious reflection, while the rough, turbulence can encourage a sturdiness and strength. We often need to go to different and challenging places to truly learn. I often need to be in challenging situations to know my own strength and capacity.

Jesus sat in a boat to teach because of the crowd. And, the unique circumstances helped them to focus on the parables, the picture stories, he was telling. He invited them to imagine a familiar scene, and take away the importance of deep learning, the kind that calls for furtile soil, an open mind and a ready heart.

Today, I ask God to help me always have and open mind and a ready heart. We have so much to learn in order to be strong and faithful. May we be stretched so that love can fill us again.