Proper 10 / Pentecost 8 / OT 15
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
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.
-- Matthew 13:19
Matthew offered Jesus' interpretation of this very familiar parable. For Matthew's community, and for ours, it must have helped them understand a very disturbing but familiar experience in the Christian community. One does not have to belong to the church for many years until one can see this parable being demonstrated in the life of the community. Glance through an old church directory and notice how many once active members have faded away. The reasons that they are no longer active are numerous, but this parable begins with the most familiar reasons. Who has not witnessed someone enter the Christian community with great enthusiasm and immediately volunteer for many of the opportunities within the community? They are so busy living out their faith that they do not take time to probe the depths of their faith. Like seeds that sprout up quickly on rocky ground, they lack the roots to withstand the challenges that occur and soon burn out. Others, like those seeds that grow amidst the thorns, allow the pressures and pleasures that surround their lives to choke out their faith. Fortunately, amidst those discouraging realities, there are also those who are like the seeds that fell on good soil and bring forth a rich harvest.
It is humbling but instructive to realize that our task is to sow the seeds, but that which takes root and produces much fruit is beyond our control. The church, and the clergy that guide it, are to provide the best soil possible in which the seeds of faith can grow. Evangelism is not recruiting new members but planting seeds by helping people explore and affirm the good news that God is offering them if they have eyes to see and ears to hear. Isaiah's prophecy suggested that we are to continue to sow the seeds in all soils because God can even use resistance to further God's purpose.
-- Matthew 13:19
Matthew offered Jesus' interpretation of this very familiar parable. For Matthew's community, and for ours, it must have helped them understand a very disturbing but familiar experience in the Christian community. One does not have to belong to the church for many years until one can see this parable being demonstrated in the life of the community. Glance through an old church directory and notice how many once active members have faded away. The reasons that they are no longer active are numerous, but this parable begins with the most familiar reasons. Who has not witnessed someone enter the Christian community with great enthusiasm and immediately volunteer for many of the opportunities within the community? They are so busy living out their faith that they do not take time to probe the depths of their faith. Like seeds that sprout up quickly on rocky ground, they lack the roots to withstand the challenges that occur and soon burn out. Others, like those seeds that grow amidst the thorns, allow the pressures and pleasures that surround their lives to choke out their faith. Fortunately, amidst those discouraging realities, there are also those who are like the seeds that fell on good soil and bring forth a rich harvest.
It is humbling but instructive to realize that our task is to sow the seeds, but that which takes root and produces much fruit is beyond our control. The church, and the clergy that guide it, are to provide the best soil possible in which the seeds of faith can grow. Evangelism is not recruiting new members but planting seeds by helping people explore and affirm the good news that God is offering them if they have eyes to see and ears to hear. Isaiah's prophecy suggested that we are to continue to sow the seeds in all soils because God can even use resistance to further God's purpose.
