Gospel Reflections for July 16 2017
Prepare the ground!
Any farmer hearing this parable would be confused.
Jesus describes a farmer sowing seed, certainly the most important event for people who depended on farmers for food. How well seed was sown meant the difference between a successful harvest …or famine! A wise farmer would take care to sow well!
However, the farmer here is carelessly throwing seed all over the place! Some lands on rocky soil, some amongst 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 the lesson for us today. Jesus invites us to think better about how we deliver the good messages we might have. Good farmers prepare the ground carefully …and throw the seed there.
Do you have something important you want to say to your spouse or children? Do you believe you have a significant message for your boss at work? Do you have some news for your friends? Well, Jesus says “prepare the ground” first!
We often think that the goodness of our message is simply enough. Well, simply put …it is not! We might believe that if we just deliver our wonderful message then people will hear it. Well, just because we are talking does not mean people are listening!
In the Gospel, the “seed” that is thrown is the Word of God itself! 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, hard, or weed-filled 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 stories that would resonate with His audience. He loved them …so He took the time to prepare them well. They sensed that …and listened!
If you would like to deliver an important message to a loved one, work colleague, or child, 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. 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 us follow His example.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Often, it’s not easy to frame a “message” so that it’s delivered in the right way. Sometimes I forget that Jesus was/is our guiding light in all things.
Thank you for this important reminder..
Jesus is a great model of someone who “prepared the ground.”
Thank you for your precious words Father Dave!!!!We have to think beautifully before we speak and ask ourselves “How would Jesus say our words in Love”!!! !!!You have that gift Father Dave and may we develope beautiful effective words in love!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,
Franca and Dick
I know you love my eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!! hahahahaha!!!
Thank you!
Thanks very much father for the beautiful reflection. God bless you.
You are very welcome!
Thank you for your wise thoughts regarding sowing of the Word. You certainly have a “green thumb” in that area!
Thank you! I wish I could also have a “green thumb” with actual plants …but I do not!
Thank you for explaining this parable so that we simple people can understand it.
Perhaps we could help prepare the Middle East and the Whole World for Peace better in this same way.
Your “Come Pray the Rosary” website at St. Bruno’s might be the key. I sure love it especially with the images of the Holy Land. I just got back from Fr. Dave’s and Fr. Joe’s most recent trip to the Holy Land this year 6/12- 6/24/17.
It was a transforming experience for me.
Perhaps other people would like to go. But in the mean time…
Let us all do what we can through prayer and the rosary for PEACE in the Middle East and the Whole World.
God Bless us all with Love and Mercy
💖🙏🏼🇮🇱🌎
Thank you for your message! I really appreciate it, and especially glad that you enjoyed the trip to the Holy Land. Yes, pray for the peace!
Really excellent thoughts Fr Dave. i never thought about this parable from your point of view. Makes perfect sense though. If I am attempting to share the good news, I must be a good listener and observer so I know when the best time to “plant” my message. Well put. Thank you.
You are very welcome!
I believe what Jesus is telling us is that we need to “walk the talk” first (preparing the ground)…before giving any kind of advice, or having anything of importance to say. In other words, gain respect by your actions and work first before you begin expounding. Oherwise your words of advice or “importance” DO fall on paved or rocky paths. Who want to listen to someone who someone you do not trust or does not fully understand where YOU are at?
Jesus was-is SO wise. I would hope I would have been one of HIS followers. I would hope I would have recognized HIM as THE one.
Well said!