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Let God’s word take root in your heart

Based on Is 55:10-11; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23

Today’s readings tell us about the growth of seeds and the hope of sharing in God’s life forever.

Jesus often told parables when teaching. Parables are simple stories from daily life to help people understand something important. Jesus used parables to get people to think about his teaching and to change their lives.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the sower (farmer) who went out to plant seeds. Some seeds fell on the path and the birds ate them. Some seeds fell on rocky ground where the soil wasn’t deep enough for roots and the sun scorched them. Some seeds fell among thorns and were choked as the thorns grew. But, some seeds landed on good, rich soil and grew into strong, healthy plants.

Jesus explained, “The seeds are the things I teach you – the Good News about God and the kingdom of heaven. Some people hear God’s Word but they do not understand; they are like the seeds that fell on the path. Some people welcome my words and try to follow my ways for a while, but then they give up; they are like the seeds that fell on rocky ground. Some people hear my words, but their hearts are filled with other thoughts and my words are choked out like the seeds choked by the thorns.

“Some people hear my message and let it take root in their hearts; they grow strong by praying, studying and making their lives into a rich harvest of love and happiness; they are like the seeds that landed on the farmer’s good, rich soil and grew into strong, healthy plants.”

We are the soil and Jesus is the sower. Jesus says the Word of God is just waiting to become alive and take root in our hearts. It’s all right if we don’t always understand everything we hear, as long as we really try to listen carefully to God’s Word with open hearts and think about it prayerfully.

Jesus can change the soil of our hearts by his grace, if we are open to his Word and let him work in our lives. His love can grow in our hearts into a rich harvest – allowing his love to show in our thoughts, words and actions.