Hear this!

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: 2 Sm 7:4-17; PS 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30; Mk 4:1-20

Notes

“Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

Summary

The sower sows the word.

If we were an agricultural society there is no need to understand what it means to sow. But there is the need. To sow has two meanings. First in agriculture it means to plant seed especially by way of scattering using broad and grand swings of the arm (“broadcast“). Sowing is a form of generosity. Have you ever been to a parade where, as the floats go by, the people on the floats scatter out candies and treats cast upon the people? Sowing. Scattering. Generously, but as in the root of this word: principled and noble. This sowing is not a ‘whatever-happens-happens’ type of scattering. No, it is an intentional, universal, reaching out to the entirety of the human family. The second definition is to set something in motion. To begin. To establish a way or standard or way of thinking. The Way of the Gospel is the a setting in motion a new standard or way of thinking, generously, principled and noble.

The path, the ground, the thorns and the soil are all the predispositions of the soul. The habits of life. The place where the word of God settles within once cast upon it.

Here are the four ways we respond:

1. On the path where the word is sown – As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. Seen more as an inconvenience than an aid.
2. On rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Seen more as an threat than a comfort.
3. Among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. Seen as inferior to other things thought to be of more importance.
4. On rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” Like a farmer who after reaping many vegetables, does not consume them all but rather preserves the seeds for future planting. The sown becomes the sower.

References

• Sow – Scatter seed or set a new standard.
• Scattering – using broad and grand swings of the arm (“broadcast”).
• Generously – as in the root of this word: principled and of noble origin.

Reflection

“Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” We have choices. We have ears, too. One choice is superior to the others. The rich soil choice. To allow the seed to take root, grow within us and become source of new seeds for generations to come.

Personal Reflection

In today’s gospel portion Jesus makes clear we need to understand this parable first among all the parables. Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? This generous and copious gift of the word should not be squandered but taken in, relished and shared.

I think the second definition is as important as the first. To begin. To establish a way or standard or way of thinking. Finding a renewed appreciation for sacred Scripture, Tradition and the service unto the Lord. Thus the generous, and copious aspects.

First Reading

That night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?

Responsorial

For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.

Gospel Acclamation

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever.

Gospel

The Parable of the Sower.
“Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry