Scripture:
2 Samuel 7:4-17
Mark 4:1-20
Reflection:
Father, help me to reflect with my Passionist family this day on the words of Jesus in the parable of the sower and the seed. Let the word you s0w grow from a seed in our hearts to the longed for Kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus today clearly calls us to fully embrace God’s word. We must find a way to be "good soil", ready, humble and open to God’s grace. We must find a way to be open like Mary, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word."
This is not easy for us in today’s world, amidst the signs of our times. Heated rhetoric and uncompromising positions pull us apart, as God’s word of inclusion and unity for all people tries to grow among the thorny bushes of our divisiveness. The rocky soil of racism, anger and inequality keeps God’s love from taking root in our lives and our communities. Birds of violence and intolerance swoop down and eat the seeds of compassion and peace in our lives before they have a chance to take root. Yet, we still have hope!
The words of Jesus encourage us to keep on sowing the seed, because some will fall on "good soil". We must sow the seed in every part of our lives, not just in the comfort of a captive audience in a Church or a house of prayer. Our comfort level about where we "sow the seed" must be ignored. We, as baptized followers of Jesus, must sow the seed everywhere in the context of the signs of our times no matter how difficult.
Father, help us to s0w the seed everywhere in our lives, especially in places where we don’t feel comfortable. Help us to be humble and nurture the seed of your word with the waters of compassion and kindness. In the words from today’s Alleluia verse:
"The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever."
Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.