The Parable of the Sower speaks of God showering gifts and stresses the importance of our generous response for fruitfulness. Let us
wonder about this fruitfulness.
Perhaps we could define the fruit as good works and faithfulness flowing from God’s grace. Fruitfulness is the measure of our response to God’s grace. Those who ‘love God with mind and heart and
soul and strength’ truly receive and understand the ‘good news’ of the Kingdom. Our fruitfulness is connected to our love.“For to him who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matt 13:12) This sounds like a combination of, ‘practice makes perfect’, and ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’, on a spiritual level.
How, then, will we enrich our soil? The Spirit longs to gift us. What will we let go of to make space for God? When we are quiet, there is space to get in touch with the present moment and to become aware of God’s presence. In this thin space, this
threshold, we are invited to see God’s inviting hand and loving eyes, hear God’s voice, and open our hearts to God’s love. We remember the most important commandments, “love God, and love your neighbour as yourself”. Love is willing the other’s good. Our call is to service. Will I make a neighbour by living as a neighbour? Will I treat myself as well as I treat others and be a compassionate neighbour to myself?
This parable suggests that the obstacles we are called to let go of are the flesh and the world distracting us. We are invited to hear God’s voice more clearly and come to a greater understanding, depth of purpose and meaning in our
lives despite hardships and suffering and to move from ambiguity to a focus on God. Our world now focuses on the desire for power, status, pleasure and wealth. These lead to a neglect of the needs of all to fill the pockets and egos of the few. Jesus calls us to generosity, to see the needs of all God’s children and creation. Seeing God revealed in God’s Word, we respond in love.
Our call is to serve for the peace, comfort and joy of all in God’s Kingdom. Love is not lazy. It prepares us to move from our comfort zones and reach out in prayer and action in our homes and communities. Prayer is where two lovers meet, God and the soul. Love leads to
loving action.
Where is my focus?
Do I find letting go difficult?
How can I respond to God’s word with
all my mind, heart and soul?
Jesus gives the disciples, us, a mission! Whose good will I consider today?
Reflections by Kath Knowles
