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A look at the appointed gospel from the Revised Common Lectionary for July 12, 2020.
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.””
My Two Cents….
“Dinner! Boys, it’s time to eat!” It was a familiar call at the house where I grew up. Summertime meant it was time to be outside. Even though we had a small backyard, it was the place where our imagination soared. There was a tree for climbing, a dirt pit for digging, a hill for rolling down, and a swing set, which we seemed to use for everything but swinging.
When mom made her nightly call, we were busy. Although mom was a fantastic cook, meals seemed to always interrupt what we were doing. Our hunger for adventure was usually more significant than our need to eat. So we didn’t hear the dinner call. On most nights, mom had to repeat herself.
Listening can be hard even when your ears check out. Distractions abound. Even when we hear something, there is the additional issue of interpretation and understanding. It is all very complicated.
Enter the Word of God.
A core part of Jesus’s ministry was teaching about God’s kingdom. His words unlocked mysteries about God and invited folks to a different way of living. The Word was powerful and transforming. It was as challenging to hear as the dinner call of my childhood.
The parable of the sower highlights the challenge embedded in the gospels. Although the Word of God is full of life, it needs to be understood and applied. If we find ourselves too distracted, busy, or fixated on what we think it says, we can miss what it actually means. We can keep going about our own thing without stopping to follow in the path to which Jesus summons.
Stopping what we are doing to take a deep breath is useful in listening to what God has to say. Ours is a constant need to open our hearts, minds, and ears.
I have found centering prayer to be helpful in this process. This prayer, without words, allows silence to push away all the distractions, worries, concerns, and things we have to do. Clearing our minds and hearts from various occupiers, a space of receptivity emerges. With great humility, we seek God in the emptiness.
How might you take some time this week to welcome God’s Word? What would it take to listen more fully to what God is saying in your life? Might you employ silence into your prayer practices?
I pray that you are safe and healthy.
In Christ’s Light,
Walt
A Prayer for You:
Good and gracious God, more often than not, I find myself distracted by many things. Life is busy; there is much to do. Help me to slow down that I might listen to what you have to say. Allow your Word to be amplified in my heart. Teach me your ways so that I will follow you. Through Jesus, amen.
Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends. ©2020. Walt Lichtenberger
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