This past weekend, we had a familiar Gospel reading from Matthew 13:1-23. It is the parable of the Sower. Jesus uses the example of a farmer who scatters seeds in his field that fall on four types of soil. The type of soil represents how we receive the Word of God. As created beings, we are called ‘human,’ and it shares its Latin root word with ‘humus,’ meaning ‘earth’ or ‘soil.’ Also, the word ‘humility.’ Humility is essentially seeing ourselves as God sees us. Recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him. To be humble is not to think less of ourselves, but to see ourselves exactly as we are in relation to God, who is the Creator, and us who are the Created. We owe EVERYTHING to God! This is the exact opposite of pride, which in its simplest description is an inflated sense of self.
Just as fertile soil gives life to a garden and our fields, humility is the ‘spiritual soil’ from which all our virtues grow. Without it, the seeds of our faith cannot take root. In this Gospel reading, the first type of soil is ‘The Path.’ A hard packed-down soil where a seed falls, birds eat the seed. This represents us who ‘listen’ to the message but do not ‘hear’ or understand it, allowing it to be immediately lost. The second type of soil is ‘Rocky Ground.’ This soil is shallow and even though the seed can sprout, it does not have any depth of roots. These are those of us who accept the message eagerly, often with ‘fiery enthusiasm,’ but give up as soon as we face obstacles or do not agree with some part of the message. The third type of soil is ‘The Thorns.’ This is the soil where there are weeds that also grow up and choke the young plants. This represents us who hear the message but allow the worries of life and perhaps our ‘love of riches’ to block our spiritual growth. The fourth type of soil is ‘The Good Soil’ This is the fertile ground that produces a rich harvest. This represents us who hear, understand, and live out the message. Our hearts hear and understand the Word, and it often grows to yield a harvest beyond expectations.
There can be each of these soil types in all of us! We could be all four of these at once, or maybe mostly one or another of these soils for a time of our lives and a different soil later. Jesus challenges all of us in this parable: “Whoever has ears ought to hear.” We must be ‘active listeners,’ to listen with intention, and allow God’s Word to transform us. We can prepare our ‘Good Soil’ in humility, by surrendering our hearts to God through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments, ready to receive the Gifts of God, the ‘seed.’ God’s Word will then take deep root in us. Ultimately it leads us to the virtue of Love, the Love of God, and Love of Neighbor. Let us continue to encourage each other each day. Amen.
Deacon Jeffrey Vaagen, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, ND