Day 93 | Saturday, 20 June 2020

Day 93  |  Saturday, 20 June 2020

 Today is the first day of summer according to the calendar.  I guess what we have been experiencing is just the tail end of spring.

 As I have planted our garden and as I continue to plant more seeds, I could not help but think of the parable of the sower.  It is one of the few that is in all three of the Synoptic Gospels.  I have quoted it from The Message.

Matthew 13:3-9
3 Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
4 As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it.
5 Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots,
6 so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.
7 Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds.
8 Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.
9 "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
 
Mark 4:3-8
3 "Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed.
4 As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it.
5 Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots,
6 so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.
7 Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it.
8 Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.
9 "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
 
Luke 8:5-8
3 "Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed.
4 As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it.
5 Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots,
6 so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.
7 Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it.
8 Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.
9 "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
 
There is a lot that could be unpacked in this parable.  First, we need to remember that in his teaching, Jesus was preparing the people for the coming of the New Age.  The seed in the parable is not all going to grow.  Its growth faces many obstacles – read, birds, gravel, lack of deep roots, sun, weeds and then the good earth.  Even though there are obstacles and challenges, God will usher in the New Age.  Even today, the mysterious work of God goes on in spite of obstacles.  I was thinking of the planting done around the pond on June 2nd.  That was terrible soil and yet, the 70 plants are surviving with one struggling to stay alive.  Then I was thinking of my garden – there have been some issues with a small four-footed critter who apparently likes very young radish plants, and very young spinach plants.  He is also digging holes in the lettuce bed.  More thoughts on this parable later so keep it handy.

 Lord of the Harvest, we never know how effective the seeds we sow will be.  Help us to realize that your mysterious work goes on in spite of our efforts.  Nurture the seeds with your care and love.  Lord, Hear our prayers.  Amen.  
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Today: farmers who sow and reap for others.