Bearing Fruit

Jesus said, “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

Many early summer morning, when I was a child, I would sneak out early and help my Grandfather WalkingStick pick strawberries, eating as many as I picked. We would have a big bowlful and I always hoped I could just sit down and eat them. Almost immediately, my grandmother would call down to me in a strict voice from her kitchen, " Carol Joy, you bring those up here right now!" I would carry them up to her, and smiling, she would wash them, pour cream and sugar on them, and we all would feast together. Those first summer fruits were the best. God blesses us with much fruit when we are willing to do the hard work of planting and sowing. Oh, it is so easy to give up and let others do the work, yet the sweetest blessings come when we have listened and worked in God's garden.

Gracious Creator, source of abundance

day by day you bless us with life

we taste the sweet fruits you give us

and we often forget to give you thanks.

Help us to be hearers and doers of your word

help us to work in the hot sun and deep cold

knowing your plenty is sweet and constant

and we will be sweetly blessed as we work

and love the stranger and the neighbor in your name. Amen