Let's
look at the Scriptures to see how others reacted to finding the tomb empty.
Witnesses to accidents or other major events often disagree on some details
because they see things differently or have a different perspective. So it is
with the Four Gospels. The writers all agree on the basic FACTS.
THE SOWER AND THE SEED - NEW LIFE IN THE SEASON OF EASTER by RONNIE MARTELLA
The incredible
thing about the parable of the sower and the seed, which we find in Mark’s
gospel - chapter 4 and Mathew’s gospel - chapter 13, is that we can find ourselves as the sower, as
the seed and as the ground at different times in our lives. In this season of Easter – a time so closely
associated with new life and growth we are going to explore this parable in a
few different ways. This morning we will
look at … Jesus as the sower….at ourselves as the ground/the receiver of the
seed….and at ourselves as sowers of the seed.
Jesus the sower:
“Jesus is the
sower. We note that, with this image, He presents Himself as one who does not
impose Himself, but who proposes; He does not draw us by conquering us, but by
giving Himself: He throws the seed. He strews His Word with patience and
generosity, which is not a cage or a trap, but a seed that can bear fruit. And
how can it bear fruit? If we receive it.”
That was a
translation of part of the address Pope Francis gave on July 16, 2017 to those
gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis says
….IF WE RECEIVE IT- SO HOW DO WE DO
THAT?
First, we need to acknowledge
and understand that God is extravagant when it comes to offering the seeds of
the Gospel to the human heart. In the parable, the sower is throwing seed
everywhere, even in places where the seed has little chance to grow.
If you’ve ever planted
seeds, you probably prepared the soil, picked the best place, with the most
sunlight during the day and whatever else was needed. The way Jesus spreads the seed is so
different, it could be considered wasteful, not at all the way a gardener or
scientist would do it. The seeds aren’t
placed individually in the soil. It’s
done in a way the shows there is an unlimited supply, no fear of running out,
never rationed or held back. This shows
how much God loves us. We don’t have to
be perfectly prepared or in the right place, He’s going to find us, He’s going
to include us.
AND SO…… If
God is the sower in the parable
…who is the
rocky ground…we are. …who is the thorny shrubs…we
are……who is the trampled path…we
are…and If God is the sower… who
is the good soil…we are.
He knows this.
It’s precisely why he throws
the seeds everywhere. He knows that you and I will
certainly be in one of those 4 areas throughout our lives. He throws the seeds out
everywhere because sometimes we are all over the place. And that’s the Good News for
today. He’ll never stop trying to reach us.
He’s aware that today you
might be the rocky ground and you might be the thorny shrub…and I might be the
trampled path.
But He also knows that at
some point we get to the good soil and his seeds will land there too and they
will take root and grow and we will return his generosity with a rich and holy
harvest.
So stay with it…Be patient
with yourself because He’s patient with us.
If you’re on rocky ground
right now… If you’re trampling all over his seeds on the pathway your life…if
you’re tearing at everyone and everything with the thorns of your
dysfunctions
Hang in there and keep trying to get to the good soil.
When you get there He’s
still going to be sowing seeds. Remember He’s got an unlimited supply and
He will continue to sow them.
He knows that eventually his
seeds will land on our beautiful...tilled…healthy…rich…soil in the gardens of
our hearts.
And that’s why we come back
here over and over again to nourish our soul gardens and be ready for his
seeds. We come back to school of leaders, back to grouping,
back to ultreya. Back to be nourished
and weeded and cared for so the seed will thrive and produce a good harvest.
Us as the ground/receivers of
seed: PIETY/STUDY
In John we read that Mary, when she gets to the empty tomb,
mistakes the risen Jesus for “the gardener.” Maybe it wasn’t an accident. Jesus is “the master gardener” who came to
clean up his garden and lead it into an abundant and fruitful life.
Jesus’ parable of the sower is aimed at everyone: the people who listen, and even those who don’t.
We know that God can create growth in spaces
where the most seasoned farmer or gardener wouldn’t waste good seed. But all seeds have unexpected, unexplainable
potential and possibility. All of us
have probably seen growth coming from cracks in sidewalks, driveways, even in
walls. Wherever a seed is willing to break open and
try - there is growth.
A passage that complements the Parable of the
Sower is John 12:24 in which Jesus says, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a
grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” If instead of the word die, can we think of it
this way… what a seed needs to do is
“yield” or “relent” or “give in.”
For a seed to move from a state of dormancy
to growth, it has to trust that the soil is warm enough, that there is enough
moisture, and that there will be enough light to break through and grow.
Think of what will happen when we allow the
compelling nature of God’s love to break through our “seed shells” so we give in to all that God offers and
promises.
God-the-Sower uses rocky soil, rich fertile
soil, and plants that were once thought of as weeds. If we pay attention to the
Spirit… already creatively cultivating her holiness in us and all around us… our
brokenness will make way for growth.
Even what might be considered weeds by some have
purpose and value. They retain the
soil’s moisture, reduce erosion when the roots hold on to soil, and attract
birds and insects needed for pollination.
Weeds are a part of an ecosystem we don’t totally understand, they are
part of the natural world-God’s creation.
Everyone counts, everyone can
contribute. We don’t or can’t always see
it or understand it
BUT
God measures by a
different set of standards. In the parable of the sower, we learn that God
throws himself upon the earth and shares himself with each of us and does not
expect anything in return.
In the end…. it is up to
us how we respond to God’s call.
Will we accept the word of
God and allow it to soften the edges and break up the hard earth in our own
lives?
We have been given the
personal freedom to choose to accept God’s love. By choosing yes, we agree to
cultivate the soil of our lives, so we may bear abundant fruit.
Among Christ’s parables about
the land, this one about the sower and seed stands out in its teaching about
how the seed of the gospel is sown and works in the field of life. No other
parable shows us how the devil, the allure of the world and the cares of life
conspire to root us from our lives in God.
Our world is full of
distractions—the rocks, thorns and birds that conspire to prevent God’s Word
and His calling from taking root and bearing fruit.
Those of us who have had a
backyard garden know that it requires effort.
Each day we have to check on it.
If it hasn’t rained, it needs to be watered. If there are harmful bugs and choking weeds,
we need to get rid of them. If not,
these things will overgrow or kill the plants.
Even if good ground is properly cared for …. when it’s left to itself - everything else moves in. Nothing useful
can grow until it is cleared out.
We need to be aware of what is growing.
And we need to know when it is time to
harvest. For us as receivers of the seed…hearers
of the word … it might mean it is time to grow in faith, it might mean it is time to go out into the field and become
spreaders of seed ourselves. It might
be time for ACTION.
Us as sowers: ACTION
Let’s hear what scripture tells us about our action.
We
reap what we sow- Galatians 6:7-10
Make no
mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, because the one who sows for his flesh will reap
corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap
eternal life from the spirit. Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall
reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to
all, but especially to
those who belong to the family of the faith.*
Requires patience- James 5:7-8
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the
coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the
earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your
hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Avoid wanting credit for what grows- 1 Cor 3:3-9
Whenever
someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you
not merely human? What
is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers* through whom you became believers,
just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is
anything, but only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one
who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God’s co-workers…
Give Generously 2 Cor 9:6
How to do we sow and reap this harvest?
We can’t think, pray, read our way to a
harvest.
Let’s suppose you want to plant a vegetable
garden.
If
you sowed seeds into the ground, you’d expect to see those things growing when
it came time to harvest.
But, if you wanted to plant a garden and you
hoped and prayed and read about tomatoes, but didn’t actually sow a tomato
seed, well, you’d get nothing.
Everything you sow today will be reaped in your harvest
tomorrow.
To have a successful harvest you must know
what you’re planting.
So you want something different? Is there some habit you want to
change? Is there someone God has put in
your life that you want to get to know,
to make a friend…?
You
have to know what you want to “plant”, what you’ve been given to “plant” and
have clearly defined goals you can sow every day.
St. Jose Maria Escriva
once wrote: “May Our Lord be able to use us so that, placed as we are at all
the cross-roads of the world- and at the same time placed in God- we become
salt, leaven and light. Yes, you are to be in God, to enlighten, to
give flavor, to produce growth and new life.
But don’t forget that we are not the source of this light: we only reflect it.” (St Jose Maria Escriva, Friends of God, 250)
At the end of the story,
Jesus says “they who have ears, let them hear.” In other words, he wants us to
be aware, to learn something and take action.
To get the few that bear fruit,
lots of seed must be sown by lots of people. So regardless of whether or not we
think we have green thumbs, we farmers are being commanded through this parable
to get the seed out there, sowing it everywhere we go, undeterred by the birds,
the weeds, and the scorching sun.
So the parable of the sower
has a twofold message:
As seed, our job is to get
busy growing.
As farmers, our job is to
get busy sowing.
The images of seed sown
and leaven kneaded into dough, both of these reflect the reality of our lives,
God’s call, and our cooperation with His grace.
The seeds, the living Word,
have been planted within us. Then, we’re to become the seed, the salt and the
leaven for the Divine Sower who continues His redemptive mission in a world
waiting to be reborn in Him.
However, the power
contained in the yeast is not activated unless it is mixed and kneaded into the
dough. We can’t just think about it...talk about it.
It isn’t usually flashy
because when you work the leaven in, it’s hidden to the eye… but it transforms that loaf! So it is with us in our culture!
All we are asked to do is to mix it up.
We have to get in the
loaf. We must be in the world - where Jesus is - in order to be used to
accomplish His ongoing work of redemption. Leaven that is not used in time
spoils and loses its ability to work; it
must be active or it becomes useless. Once hidden in the loaf, active
leaven always raises the dough. That’s how it is with our cooperation with
grace.
We pray for those in our
lives with overgrown or overcome hearts. Often the stresses and circumstances
of life can create a small clearing where a seed can actually germinate and
take root. (plants in cracks in
sidewalk) These divine moments can be opportunities to offer ourselves in
the process of sowing, watering and reaping.
We pray to be aware of those moments…when God is putting us with that ONE person in need.
FOR
THOSE GRACE FILLED MOMENTS
It
all begins with awareness/care..one person, one seed, at a time.
Right now you are holding a
“bag of seed” – the word of God in your hand. The word of the Kingdom of God is
always being sown in your life.
You can spread it wherever
you go OR you can keep it for yourself.
St.
Josemaria Escriva wrote,
"The
sower went out to sow, to scatter the seed at all the crossroads of this earth.
What a blessed task we have. We have the job of making sure that in all the
circumstances of time and place the word of God takes root, springs up and
bears fruit."
DE COLORES
JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE by FATHER ED BLANCHETT
Let’s begin praying with a reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” The Gospel of the Lord.
THE BLUE LAUNDRY BAG - A REFLECTION by JOANNE M. PALMISANO
I really liked my laundry bag which was made of blue cloth
with a drawstring. It was durable, easy to use and store. My trusty laundry bag held up for thirty
years. As I matured, the bag became more
than a holder of dirty and clean clothes, it became an all-purpose bag. It carried Christmas and birthday
presents. It carted housewares, party
supplies and various miscellaneous items. I always remembered who gave me my laundry bag
along with love and care attached to it
As each of the two grandchildren went off to college, the
importance of a laundry bag arose, well for me. I did not have to worry about them buying one for
themselves because it did not appear to be on their list of “needed” items. Memories flooded me about my bag. My approach was different than my Mom’s. I waited until packing time to give it to
each one of them. Each was given a
different color. One was gray and the
other a marble white and green. Of
course, they could have rejected it, but did not. Yes, they are using their laundry bag.
During this process, it hit me that this simple item meant more
to me. Besides being a tradition, it
became a symbol of love and care. This
triggered the idea of passing on other things, such as, values and life skills.
Like my parents had prepared me for the
next phase of life, I hoped that my husband and I were doing the same for the
grandchildren. Hopefully, when they see
and use the laundry bag, they will be reminded of home along with the love and
care attached to it.
THE SEA SHELL COLLECTORS - A REFLECTION by JOANNE M. PALMISANO
I searched alone.
Finding small scalloped shape shells with at least one horizontal maroon
stripe on the shell, I collected as many as I could. Once reuniting with the others, I was amazed
at all the different types of shells each one of us had gathered. No one collected the same shell. Each of us focused on one particular shape and
size. I could not get over this.
Although I made a comment about it, we were in a rush so I do not know the
reaction of the others.
I had never been on a beach with so many shells of so many
varieties. Maybe I was, but never noticed it.
The beauty of nature and God’s creation was right in front of me and I
noticed it. I was so lucky to have been a part of that moment. I talked about the
sea shell collectors on Captiva Island for months, showing everyone I could my
shells. In my excitement to share the
experience, I gave a few shells away.
In retrospect, the shells represented us, all different and
unique. Although we were celebrating being forty years old, most of us never
met prior to the trip. It was just a “friend connection’ based on our birth
year. We all enjoyed the trip to Sanibel
Island for a long weekend with Captiva Island being a side trip. We all
respected each other and enjoyed each other company. More importantly, we
became sea shell collectors together.
PRACTICE - A REFLECTION by JOANNE M. PALMISANO
Greeting friends, entering into prayer, joining in the Mass,
hearing the word of God, seeing the consecration of the host, hearing Eucharist
prayers, receiving the Eucharist, receiving the priest’s blessing, alone prayer
time and finally talking with various friends was the “practice” routine. Maybe, I would arrive early before Mass to
recite the Rosary or stay later on Wednesdays to recite the Divine Mercy
Chaplet.
Participating in daily Mass prepared me for the upcoming
day. This happy time and place transformed
me. A peace overcame me. By the time I left the church, I was ready
for the day. In addition, I developed strong relationships at both parishes
were I attended daily Mass. I maintain those friendships through attendance at
Sunday Mass, church events, phone calls, cards, dinner dates and retreats.
I no longer attend daily morning Mass routinely. Being discussed with God, who fully
understands, I have a shorter daily routine of “practice” with daily praying to
God through journaling and devotions at home or at work. Depending on my daily schedule, I tend to
switch up “practice” with adoration, and Mass.
Although my daily “practice schedule” has changed, God’s
grace and coaching stays with me through my daily living.
Note from Joanne: "Since 2004, this reflection stayed in the writer’s heart. With renewed writing, this finally popped out."
MCC Trenton - Movimiento de Cursillos de Christiandad de Trenton
