The Fertile Ground

           In this weeks Gospel,Matthew 13:1-23. Jesus shares the Parable of the Sower with his disciples and his followers. He uses the parable to explain the different ways we can follow the Lord.  Ultimately he let them know that there is truly one way to have a relationship with the Lord.

The parable begins with a sower that scatters seed. Some of the seed fell on on the side of the path. Some seeds fell on stony ground. Some seeds fell among the thorns and some seeds fell among the good, fertile ground.  When you really examine the parable you can see that Jesus explains that good ground is what we need  for his seed to grow in us. 

The first of seeds the sower sows are the seeds that landed off  the path. Those seeds represent the follower that never really gets  a chance to even understand that the word of God is available to them. We don’t see how the word of God is a gift and we are to carefully open it.  We don’t give them the importance that is required . Without  fully appreciating the word of God you can not  have a complete relationship with the Lord.  That’s when the devil is lurking… the message in the words of God are lost because we are too proud or too arrogant to understand that we have been given a tool to use for our salvation.  Instead we ignore or choose to look the other way and “do it myself”. In those times we are not in relationship with the Lord at all.  We are on our own, off the path. 

The seconds set group of seeds fall  on the stony ground. The seeds that don’t have a chance to make roots.  There is a disconnect between the Word of God and the heart of a follower. These seeds represent the followers of Christ that  hear the words but don’t allow them to enter our hearts.  They are just words. They have some meaning but the true meaning is lost because we don’t take anytime to reflect upon them. The depth that is required for a meaningful relationship doesn’t exist. The Word of God is deep and time to reflect upon them is necessary.  Yes, going to church does allow for some time to reflect but, personal time also needed. That is when you can allow the seeds to take root in your heart.  Thats the  where you make the real  connection.  That’s how you build that relationship with the Lord.  Let the word soak into your heart. 

The third group of seeds fall among the thorns. These seeds do well in the beginning. They have roots, the soil is decent but something goes wrong.  As they germinate and grow the environment ultimately gets the best of them.  I understand what growing up around thorns can be like.   Although, you are doing everything right… it can still go wrong.  I have seen this all too often in real life.  Obviously, we weren’t able to choose the environment that we were born into.  That was the work of the Lord. That’s why  I ask sometimes… why allow some of us to grow up among the thorns? Why  be given someone an opportunity for a great life yet surround them by thorns and unsafe place to grow?  A life among thorns is challenging. That’s what why the word of God  calls you to look away from the world.  You are called to not be distracted and ignore what the world is doing.  You are called to bury yourself in the word of God.  Worldly concerns are not concern of yours.  Unfortunately, the seeds that grow among the thorns are ultimately destroyed by the world that grow in. 

The  last set of seeds  from the parable fall on the fertile ground. These seeds represent the followers that hear the word and understand it.  They reflect upon them and allow it to actually have an impact on who they are in the world. They let the words take root in their hearts.  Ultimately, bearing fruit.  The fruit being a life filled with the Lord.  Life isn’t perfect and without challenges but it is grounded by a relationship with God. Those are the seeds that represent the lives that we strive for.  They have the right combination of soil, water, and sun.  The right mix of what the Lord provides and what you do with it. We are called to be like those seeds.  While Jesus spoke to his disciples and this crowd he explained how important it is to really use the Word of God for our salvation. He urges us to not only hear the words. Hearing is ok but that’s not enough.  Going to church is ok but not enough.  Jesus wants us to let those words into our heart.  He wants us to allow those words into our soul so it can have an impact on our actions.  He is telling us to look beyond the distractions of money, fame and the craziness of the world.  Instead focus on him. Focus on the word of God.  Will wealth and short lived happiness capture the word of God? Will you ignore the word because you are too busy, or will the  sower’s seeds land on fertile ground and grow in your heart?  We have to decide today and everyday.