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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 4:1-20)
Jesus said to [the Twelve], “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word.
Jesus shares with a large crowd surrounding him by the sea the Parable of the Sower. The truth behind the parable is a seed in itself, its truth hidden within the husk of the parable. Jesus says to the apostles, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word.” The seed sown among thorns is a penetrating depiction of an earthly reality. “Worldly anxiety,” Jesus says, “the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.” Similarly, the seed sown on a path or on rocky ground correspond to daily realities. What are the conditions for seed to take root, to prepare rich soil? As the husk of the parable is peeled away, its truth is open to contemplation that speaks distinctly to the soul of each person and is ready for planting.
God, help me perceive the meaning of the Parable of the Sower. The demands of each day lure me away from diligently preparing a seedbed in my soul, rich soil to hear your word and accept it. The well-trod path of daily routines and the rocky ground of momentary joy are vulnerable places for your word to take root. Yet, with time and attention, cultivating these areas of life is an opportunity to slow down and invite you into the commonplace, into my moment-by-moment existence. Give me grace to suspend throughout the day those things that I do automatically and out of anxiety to see you working to prepare my soul to receive your word. And help me quiet myself to hear and accept your word and “bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
From the responsorial psalm: “‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.’” For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.” Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.