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July 15, 2017“But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Mt 13:8-9)
Last Sunday’s image of the yoke spills over into this week’s gospel about seeds sown in the earth. Let us begin again with Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, who bears the yoke which draws the plow. He says:
“Rest. Here. Bear the yoke with me, by my side. Be my yokemate and pull with me, plow with me, prepare the earth for the sowing of seed. Be my partner in the humble work of farming the human heart. We begin with the earth of your own heart, but we won’t end there. Together we will draw that cross through the whole earth to make furrows ready for sowing. Every step, whether willing and joyful or halting and full of resistance – take it with me. Walk with me, always.
And don’t forget to think of the seed, planted in that dark earth, germinating, growing toward the light, you know not how. Ponder how it falls into darkness, how it has to break open, lose itself, and die. Consider how it waits, uncomprehending, for life to have its way, drinking deep and thrusting upward, blindly. Realize that it is so small and vulnerable yet full of potential, because God gives the growth.
Think most of all of the harvest: the swaying grasses, the cutting, the laying out, the gathering and the winnowing. Imagine the grain – crushed, the flour – kneaded, and the bread – broken. Think of these things and take heart. The seed will grow, you know not how. Birds and rocks and thorns will not stop it, because we keep plowing, keep sowing, keep watering and weeding and waiting, you and I.”
My grace is sufficient for you. (2 Cor 12:9)
Grow. Grow. Grow.
