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| A Journey to rich soil |
The Prophet Jeremiah challenges the remnant returning from the Exile to accept that God calls them to make the restoration of Jerusalem a destination for all people to encounter God.
* [3:14–18] A remnant of Israel (v. 14) will reunite with Judah (v. 18). The former Israelite community, represented by the ark of the covenant, will be replaced by a universal alliance, symbolized by Jerusalem, the Lord’s throne, to which all nations will be gathered (v. 17).In the explanation of the parable of the sower from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus summarizes the conditions of the hearer of the Word that block full integration of fullness of Life.
* [13:18–23] See Mk 4:14–20; Lk 8:11–15. In this explanation of the parable the emphasis is on the various types of soil on which the seed falls, i.e., on the dispositions with which the preaching of Jesus is received. The second and third types particularly are explained in such a way as to support the view held by many scholars that the explanation derives not from Jesus but from early Christian reflection upon apostasy from the faith that was the consequence of persecution and worldliness, respectively. Others, however, hold that the explanation may come basically from Jesus even though it was developed in the light of later Christian experience. The four types of persons envisaged are (1) those who never accept the word of the kingdom (Mt 13:19); (2) those who believe for a while but fall away because of persecution (Mt 13:20–21); (3) those who believe, but in whom the word is choked by worldly anxiety and the seduction of riches (Mt 13:22); (4) those who respond to the word and produce fruit abundantly (Mt 13:23).The universalism of Jeremiah resonates with the comments of Jacob Shamsian, Journalist at INSIDER and Business Insider, on the opinion of Martin Buber that religious observance by everyone was precisely what comprised Jewish national identity.
But both Buber and Ahad Ha’am shared an idea for a structure for a Jewish state. They believed in a Zionist ideal where Israel would be the fulcrum of Jewish culture as well as a binational state where Arabs and Jews shared equal rights.... For Jews, the future existence of the people depended on the nation’s uniqueness. And being a chosen, unique people is inextricably tied into being G-d’s people, according to Buber. “We shall not, of course, be able to boast of possessing the Book if we betray its demand for righteousness.”Tom Purcell prays that we find what is missing in our soil, and work our soil regularly, so it is more receptive to the seeds that fall upon it.
Jesus is clearly assigning responsibility to the soil manager/hearer, not the sower. If the hearer – you – has soil that is rocky, or beset by thorns, your hearing and receptiveness will be less likely to yield any fruit. But if your soil is rich – and constantly renewed and enriched – then your hearing should yield fruit. You and I control our soil, not the sower of the seed.Don Schwager quotes Jerome (347-420 AD) on how God's word is like good seed sown in the heart.
"'And the one sown upon good ground is he who hears the word, understands it and bears fruit.' Even as on bad ground there were three diverse situations (by the path, upon rocky ground and among thorns), so too on good ground the diversity is of three types: fruit of one hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold. Both in one and the other there is a change that takes place in the will, not in the nature itself. In both the unbelievers and believers it is the heart that receives the seed. 'The wicked one comes,' he says, 'and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.' In the second and third cases, he says, 'That is he who hears the word.' In the explanation of the good ground, he is the one who hears the word. First we must listen, then understand; after understanding, we must bear the fruits of good teaching and yield fruit either one hundredfold, sixtyfold or thirtyfold." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.13.23)The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:18-23 suggests that Jesus wanted to make sure his disciples heard his explanation of the parable, and the story itself involves four “hearers.” The first three hear, but their listening is compromised by distraction and anxiety. The last hears and understands—and is fruitful. It’s not enough, Jesus says, to hear what is said; it’s listening that brings depth and understanding.
Finally, recognize the things that might be blocking your connection with the Lord. If your phone was losing its signal, you’d try to find a place with better reception. If you feel you’ve lost your connection with God, identify what’s blocking it, and move away from it. Repent of any sins you are aware of, and be as open as you can to the voice of the Lord.Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the positive effects from a remnant that is a non judgemental witness to God dwelling in their heart. God will meet His people in their hearts. He connects the explanation of the parable by Jesus to the Shema and our challenge to Love God with our intellect, through persecution and using all our material resources.
Lori Erickson shares her notes on Thomas Merton’s Mystical Vision in Louisville as she quotes the American mystic and monk.
I have the immense joy of being man, a member of a race in which God Himself became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.”Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, cautions that If we deny that the spiritual can enter the material world, then we are in trouble, since that is exactly what we are—fully spiritual and fully material human beings. We probably need to encounter Incarnation in one focused, dramatic moment, and then the particular truth has a chance of becoming a universal truth, and even our own personal truth. We are supposed to struggle with this, just as Jesus’ disciples first did (see John 6:60)! Otherwise we are not sincerely engaged with it.
In the Eucharist, we slowly learn how to surrender to the Presence in one place, in one thing, in one focused moment. The priest holds up the Host and says, “See it here, believe it here, get it here, trust it here.” Many Christians say they believe in the Presence in the Eucharist, but they don’t get that it is everywhere—which is the whole point! They don’t seem to know how to recognize the Presence of God when they leave the church, when they meet people who are of a different religion or race or sexual orientation or nationality. They cannot also trust that every person is created in the image of God. Jesus spent a great deal of his ministry trying to break down the false distinctions between “God’s here” and “God’s not there.” He dared to see God everywhere, even in sinners, in enemies, in failures, and in outsiders. Usually, early stage religion is not yet capable of that, but fortunately God is patient with all of us and with history itself.The rich harvest that Jesus invites us to experience is set in our realization of God Present Everywhere and in all people.
References
(n.d.). Jeremiah, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/3
(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13
(2014, December 18). What Kind of Zionist was Martin Buber? – Jacob Shamsian – Medium. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from https://medium.com/@jayshams/what-kind-of-zionist-was-martin-buber-a1bb7c4863c
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved July 27, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/
(n.d.). Thomas Merton's Mystical Vision in Louisville - Spiritual Travels. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from https://www.spiritualtravels.info/articles-2/north-america/kentucky-a-thomas-merton-tour/thomas-mertons-mystical-vision-in-louisville/
(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 27, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/
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