The parable of the sower and the seed (Lk 8:4-8) is applied to sowing the Word of God, because Jesus specifically says the seed sowed by the farmer "is the word of God" (Lk 8:11). The homilist at this morning's Mass mentioned that this parable also applies well to those who are sowing love. St. Francis of Assisi likewise mentioned this in his well-known prayer when he said, "where there is hatred, let me sow love."
God sows love and His love falls on a footpath, representing people so trampled down that they cannot admit love into their hearts (Lk 8:5). The rocky ground is like the person who receives love by getting infatuated. But as a little time passes, they grow tired of the love relationship, whether with God or another person. Being without root, they walk away from authentic love (Lk 8:6). The thorny ground is the person who does receive love, responds to it, but makes other choices that distract their heart from growing in authentic love. Such a heart does not commit fully to true, sacrificial love, and so love is stifled (Lk 8:7).
The fourth heart is the good soil which receives love, nurtures it, allows it to take deep root, and bears the abundant fruit of love (Lk 8:8). Love is "the greatest" gift of all (1 Cor 13:13). Open your heart to receive every last drop of God's outpoured love (Rm 5:5). Receive the love of God daily, especially in the Holy Eucharist at daily Mass.
| PRAYER: | Father, nothing can separate me from Your love (Rm 8:39). Accordingly, may I never separate myself from Your love. |
| PROMISE: | "The seed you sow does not germinate unless it dies." –1 Cor 15:36 |
| PRAISE: | St. Robert Bellarmine was made a cardinal by Pope Clement VIII in 1599. At the time, the Pope commented, "The Church has not his equal in learning." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College