The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of our response to the Word of God that is the seed of our transformation.
Seed for transformation
The reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians describes the Resurrection Body.
* [15:35–49] Paul approaches the question of the nature of the risen body (what kind of body?) by means of two analogies: the seed (1 Cor 15:36–44) and the first man, Adam (1 Cor 15:45–49).1
Psalm 56 seeks the mercy of God in trials.
* [Psalm 56] Beset physically (Ps 56:2–3) and psychologically (Ps 56:6–7), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God (Ps 56:5, 9–10). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God’s gift of life (Ps 56:13). A refrain (Ps 56:5, 11–12) divides the Psalm in two equal parts2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches using the Parable of the Sower.
* [8:11–15] On the interpretation of the parable of the sower, see note on Mt 13:18–23.3 * [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).4
Tom Purcell comments as people of faith, we are in a unique situation – we are both the soil that receives the seed and we are in turn sowers of seeds to others. We are part of a process regarding the seed – receiving and (hopefully) nurturing it, and through our efforts of successful harvesting, creating new seeds to be propagated in others.
As Jesus reminds us, if we are persistent over the years, eventually the sowing of the seed will bear fruit in us. If we keep trying to improve our soil (as all farmers do), eventually all the growing conditions will be favorable, and we will enjoy bumper crops. We will be able to harvest our crops and share the seeds with others. The key is not whether our soil conditions are favorable when we first receive the seed, but whether we persist in improving our soil so the seed will ultimately bear fruit.5
Don Schwager quotes “The Devil snatches good seed off the path,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The seed is the Word of God. Those on the way are they who have heard. Afterwards, the devil comes and takes away the Word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. We see in a moment that the hardness of the ground causes the seed on the pathways to be snatched away. A pathway always is hard and untilled, because it is exposed to every one's feet. It does not admit any seed into it, but it lies rather upon the surface, ready for any birds that will to snatch it away. All whose minds are hard and unyielding, and so to speak, pressed together, do not receive the divine seed. The divine and sacred admonition does not find an entrance into them. They do not accept the words that would produce in them the fear of God and by means of which they could bring forth as fruits the glories of virtue. They have made themselves a beaten and trampled pathway for unclean demons, yes, for Satan himself, such as never can bear holy fruit. Let those who are awake, whose heart is sterile and unfruitful, open your mind, receive the sacred seed, be like productive and well-tilled soil, bring forth to God the fruits that will raise you to an incorruptible life."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 41)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 8:4-15 comments that our experience tells us that there’s an element of each type of “soil” in each of us. From one day to the next, we might identify more closely with one or another of them.
We all want to respond to God’s word in a fruitful way. But no matter how we respond, it is immensely encouraging to know that our heavenly Father is always sowing seeds! He never tires of speaking to us and inviting us to bear fruit for his kingdom.7
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the resurrected body as described by Paul and Karl Rahner. The Parable of the Sower echoes the Great Commandment. Friar Jude reminds us that the people in Jesus time closed their minds to even the lessons in simple parables.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that psychotherapist Carl Jung believed wounded healers developed insight and resilience from their experiences which enabled the emergence of transformation to occur. African American philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman (1900–1981) was a living example of such insight. With tenderness and pastoral concern, he reminds us that one of the most important aspects of healing is the process of offering our wounding to God.
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!
The quietness in Thy Temple of Silence again and again rebuffs us:
For some there is no discipline to hold them steady in the waiting
And the minds reject the noiseless invasion of Thy Spirit.
For some there is no will to offer what is central in the thoughts—
The confusion is so manifest, there is no starting place to take hold.
For some the evils of the world tear down all concentrations
And scatter the focus of the high resolves…
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!
Brood over our spirits, Our Father,
Blow upon whatever dream Thou hast for us
That there may glow once again upon our hearths
The light from Thy altar.
Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need of shock, of lift, of release
That we may find strength for these days—
Courage and hope for tomorrow.
In confidence we rest in Thy sustaining grace
Which makes possible triumph in defeat, gain in loss, and love in hate.
We rejoice this day to say:Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Thy altar!8
Our journey from brokenness to full life is marked by receiving the Word in soil prepared for growth.
References
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