In today’s gospel (Matt 13:1-9) we hear the familiar parable about the sower sowing his seed – seed sown along fertile soil that produces abundantly, as well as seed sown along rocky ground and thorns that bears nothing.  This parable reminds us that in order to be truly open to God’s word and his grace we need to be watchful that misplaced priorities, worldly desires and distractions, anxieties and concerns, and our own sinfulness do not cause our hearts to be hardened and cause us to become blind and deaf to our loving God.

This past Sunday with the recounting of Martha and Mary’s hospitality (Luke 10:38-42) we heard a similar message – one that is very instructive.  In this gospel Jesus seems to indicate that even our good works, even our service to God, needs to be balanced with a heart open to God’s grace and a mind open to God’s word.  Jesus seems to be saying that even our good works – works that  reflect God’s goodness and love –  should not “squeeze out” prayer, contemplation, conversation, and communion with our Lord.  Jesus seems to be telling us that discerning God’s will and trusting that will is paramount to all else.  Jesus seems to be telling us that every other aspect of our life follows from this including all the good works that we do in service to our Lord and our fellow brothers and sisters.

Like Mary does, we need to seek out that quiet time, that solitude, where we can be alone with our Lord.  Like Mary, we need to place ourselves at the feet of Jesus, put our burdens in his hands, and listen for his voice.  Like Jesus tells Martha – “there is need of only one thing” – that we make time for quiet and focused attention to God, that we listen for his voice, that we trust his will.  In this way, as Jesus promises, we choose the “better part”.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *