Gospel Reflections for July 12 2020
Prepare the ground…
Any farmer hearing this parable would be confused. Yet this parable is exactly what you could successfully use today if ever involved in controversial political debates.
Jesus describes a farmer sowing seed, an important event for people that depended on farmers for food. How well seed was sown meant the difference between a successful harvest …and devastating famine. A wise farmer would take care to sow well!
However, the farmer here is carelessly throwing good seed all over the place! Some land on rocky soil, some among weeds, and some on pathways where it gets trampled. Only a small amount lands where it is supposed to …on good soil.
What kind of farmer is this? Well, not a good one for sure, and that is Our Lord’s lesson! He invites you to think better about how you deliver the good messages you might have to the people around you. Good farmers prepare their ground carefully …and throw their good seed only there.
Do you have something important to say to your spouse or children? Do you have a great message for your boss? Well, Jesus says …first prepare the ground!
We often think that the goodness of our message is simply enough.
Simply put …it is not! You might believe that if you just deliver your wonderful message then people will hear it.
Just because you are talking does not mean people are listening.
In the Gospel, the “seed” that is thrown is the very Word of God! Can you think of any message more important than that? Yet, even that Word of God is not enough to make it grow in rocky or hard soil. Do you think your words will do any better if you do not prepare your listeners to hear you?
Jesus knew this lesson well. He never told any carpenter stories from his own background. He only told farmer and fishermen stories that He knew would connect with His audience. He loved them …so He took the time to prepare them as well. They sensed that attentiveness and care …and so listened.
If you would like to deliver an important message to a spouse, child, work colleague, or even about controversial political issues today, take the time to set it up well. Think of when and where the message will be best received. Think of what words will work best with your listener. Think of how you can “prepare the ground” so that your words will have the best effect.
Jesus loved people enough to do this all the time. Let’s follow His example.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
The story of the farmer sowing the seeds reminded me that we had to get rid of a holly bush that was overgrown in our lawn. We planted grass seeds on the top soil provider by the builder who put up a wooden fence on the perimeter of our land. The birds had a great time eating the seeds and I wondered where The Lord would have brought this fact into his parable. The poor birds needed to be fed too and it was hard to hunt them away. I am pretty sure the birds in The Lord’s time took some of the farmer’s seeds too
I think your insight is also quite helpful in reading this parable. All of the Gospel stories are very rich with insights and can be fruitfully seen from many different angles. Thank you for sharing your story.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee preparing the ground to bring Jesus’ message to others!!!Well said Father Dave!!! You prepare the ground beautifully!!! I was in the Debate club at Marymount College!! I learned at a young age never attack the person, just unravel the wrogness of the person’s views with as you said with prepared ground!!! It is a challenge we must all take for the coming election is sooooooooooooooooo important with the value to life,in all phases, Birth (being pro life, our Religious, freedoms, our Christian morality, our independence to becoming the person God created us to be,!!! Life is a precious gift from our loving God and it must be protected at all phases!!! We must all stand up beautifully for our precious Faith and back it up beautifully with Jesus’ love, peace!!!!! Dick and I are ready!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you, Franca and Dick
Thank you!~
Hi Father,
Great Gospel reflection today.
I really connected and agreed Father today with your message on the need to plan any presentation of information or message we are wanting to give or send someone.. We try so hard sometimes to be a Beacon of Gods light, but it is so difficult and just because we are talking dose not mean they are listening. Thanks
Mike
Thanks for your comments. That is why I think this is one of Our Lord’s most important parables of all. It has a deep insight and is also very practical and usable every day.
Very timely message as we approach a critical Presidential election with such a divided country!
Yes, we need thoughtful dialogue now more than ever!
Fr Dave,
A timely & thought provoking message for sure.
My question is (especially when it comes to our current political crises), how do you prepare the soil when the other side won’t even have a discussion or won’t even allow you to voice an opinion?
I find it frustrating & frightening because I think both our religious freedoms & political freedoms are at stake. Are we to remain silent then?
God Bless You & Thank You,
Sherrie
You can always make the first move to thoughtfully engage the other person in dialogue, but if they refuse, Our Lord has very practical advice that he gives in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10, which is to simply move on, and not take it personally. You cannot make the other person listen even if you try your best to “prepare the ground.
Open our eyes Lord that we vote according to your will. We have always voted only party lines but we really need to be praying for Gods will. I heard from a Cardinal or Bishop that we need to be careful who we vote or If we vote for abortion we should not receive communion. Life is too short to go our way and not Gods.
Yes, this is the time to consider thoughtfully and prayerfully how each person should vote.
Dealer Father Dave,
You are so right to caution us to make sure that our words are thought through and we are prepared.
From my perspective, our society is going a little nutty! I do believe the time is coming when God’s WORD will be heard again and soon.
Thank you, Father Dave, and God bless you,
Sincerely,
Kathleen A.
Yes, I agree that our society is going a little “Nutty” right now. I think it will be short lived and common sense will return soon. At least, that is my prayer!