Dear Friends in Christ,
In this season of warm weather and Summer temperatures, some of us enjoy gardening. It gives us an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while we beautify our property or cultivate fruits and vegetables for our tables.
In Jesus’ times, agriculture was important for everyone. The whole community depended on a good harvest for its survival. This is why Jesus’ parables about seeds, planting and reaping would have been of interest to all His hearers.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus describes the work of a sower planting seeds. In scattering that seed, the sower acts in hope that the seeds will later yield a bountiful harvest. Unfortunately, however, Jesus tells us that some of the seed fell on ground that was unable to receive it. This meant that the seed that fell on this unfruitful ground never yielded the harvest that the sower needed.
Our hearts are like the soil Jesus mentions in the parable. How well do we receive the Word of God when we hear it? Are we “good ground,” receptive to the Gospel and attentive to Christ’s voice speaking to us through it? We hear the Gospel preached at Mass daily and weekly. We also gather on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 in the Parish Center to study the Scriptures in preparation for our hearing them on Sunday. This weekly bible study keeps the soil of our hearts soft and open to receive the saving message the Gospel brings us. We learn together, sharing our reflections on the Scriptures and helping each other to apply the Gospel message in our lives. It is this kind of study that helps us to become “good ground” so that we grow in friendship with the Lord.
We hold bible study year-round and all are welcome to attend. If you would like to join us, come to study on Wednesday. You will find our study group welcoming, friendly and a wonderful small Christian community.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael