Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.
“But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
The sower sows seeds on several different types of ground — a path, rocky ground, among thorns, and finally in rich soil. Each of these surfaces represent us as believers, with the rich soil being “the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit…”
Perhaps there is another way to look at this parable. Maybe we are the seed in this story. Our job is take root and bear fruit:
- When we land on the path, do we become distracted and allow temptation to come and steal us away?
- When we land on the rocky soil, are we not persistent enough? Do we “last only for a time” because we give up?
- Among the thorns, are we not strong enough? Courageous enough? Are we unwilling to fight against “worldly anxiety” and the “lure of riches”?
- Our only success is in the rich soil? Are we teachers who can only teach the brightest students?
There are many more beaten-down paths, rocks, and thorns out there than there is rich soil.
We are the seed, the Word of God, and our purpose is to take root and bear fruit.
From the Deacon's Desk 
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