Word

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Word

Heart     Planted

Hear     Understand     Nurture

The Sower Seed Soil

Creation

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:    Matthew 13: 18 to 23

"Understand the parable of the sower. 

The seed that is sown in the path represents a person who hears the word about the kingdom but does not really grasp the meaning of the teaching. The evil one can comes and takes away what had been sown in this person's heart.

The seed sown on rocky ground represents a person who is very happy when it first comes. However, it is only on the surface and does not last long. When a hardship or persecution comes because of the word, this person gives up.

The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word of God but then gets anxious about the things of the world and gets concerned about riches. The word gets choked. The seed produces no fruit.

The seed that is sown in the rich soil is the person who hears the word and truly understands it. This person bears much fruit. The harvest is a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold."

Reflection

It is so hard to listen to the word. We are all surrounded by so many distractions. 

We are an "advanced" civilization. We have all the answers at our fingertips. Our phones lead us to true wisdom.

Why should we bother with God's Word? Isn't that old fashioned and out of date?

It seems the people to whom Jesus spoke about God's Kingdom had the same attitude. The distractions and attractions in their day were much more interesting than what Jesus offered. 

The evil one, worldly anxieties, hardships, persecutions are very powerful distractions. They can easily win out over the word. 

The problem is those distraction and attractions do not bear much fruit. They always leave us looking for more. 

They can feel good for awhile but then we can get tired of them and ask ourselves, "Is that all there is?".

Jesus knows that our hearts need to be nourished deeply and truly. He comes as the Word and with the words of eternal life. He wants to feed our deepest hungers.

Enjoy those meals!

1. What are the main distractions that you face that keep you from hearing the word?

2. Do you ever have the hunger for something more substantial in your life?

3. How has Jesus nourished you?

4. What does Kathy's photo say to you?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)