Reworking the Soil

Jesus often taught in short stories–parables–which helped those with ears to hear to understand the spiritual things he discussed. It also served to mask things from others. In his parable on the Sower and the Sown Seed, Jesus told of seed that, depending on where it had been sown, was liable to take root and bear fruit or to suffer a far less fruitful life.

Often I have heard this parable used as a means to prompt the evaluative question: how fruitful are you being for God? And I suppose the idea behind that question may be a good one. (The idea being our confession should lead to acts of love for God and neighbor.) But often that question is used a litmus test to see how a person "measures up" in their spirituality.

I've often been struck by the third account of the seed, that sown among the thorns. I'm intrigued by it because of Jesus' explanation regarding the thorns. They reflect the "cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things" (Mk 4:19). Though we stand millennia removed from this teaching of Jesus by the sea, his assessment of the human heart is as pertinent as ever.

The thing with thorns, and other weeds for that matter, is that they can be pulled up. That's not an easy endeavor, especially if they have been given full reign of the soil. Their roots go down deep, they fight back against any assaults with their thorns, and they are persistent. But they can be uprooted. The soil can be reworked, nutrients can be reintroduced that the seed might flourish.

As we reflect, hear, and respond to the good news of the resurrection during Eastertide, perhaps this is a good time to consider where you have not allowed the healing and cleansing work of the Spirit into the field of your heart. Where have you nurtured the thorns–actively or by letting them grow as they will–even knowing that they bring harm? Though the uprooting is not easy–it may even be painful–the outcome is health, growth, and life.

Let us be a people desiring life for we serve a living–"He is not here; he has risen"–King.

Grace & Peace