Good Soil

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.” ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. Luke 8:1-15

It is easy for us humans to have the best of intentions and then forget or get distracted. When I was a child, we would tease my mother for occasionally leaving the dish rag in the refrigerator and the milk in the sink. She had five very active children, so it is now wonder she got distracted. She remained a faithful Christian all of her life. Despite all of the work and care in her life she was honest, had a good heart and bore fruit with patient endurance. Traditionally, Cherokee and other peoples on this continent, grew their corn, squash and beans together and called them the three sisters. The three different crops provided strength and for each other. Too often we forget that there will be thorns, weeds and rocks in all our lives. When we lean on one another and hold each other through the storms, we can and will bear the fruit of God's love.

Loving Creator, you plant us in rich soil

we are fed by the wisdom of many generations

we are watered by the tears of our ancestors

and held securely by all who walk with us.

We often turn to bitterness when the rocks hit

and when the thorns tear at us we harden our hearts

we are resistant to patience and understanding

yet you are healing us and helping us grow.

Give us all honest and good hearts today

imbue us with deep roots and a deeper faith

may your love provide for our needs here

and may we bear the fruit of your heavenly love. Amen.