Gospel Delights!

Saturday, September 23, 2023

1 Tm 6:13-16; Lk 8:4-15

The Parable of the Sower in today’s gospel has enormous implications for Christian life. 

The parable talks of four types of soil: the path, rocky ground, thorny land, and good soil. In a way, these four places are representative of four different states of our hearts. If we take time to reflect, we will discover that, at times, we have passed through moments of frivolity, waywardness, lukewarmness, and sincere dedication. While the seeds that fall on good soil produce the desirable yield, other seeds encounter different challenges. Dedication is the only way to success.

Though the seeds fall on good soil, the measure of the yield is different. The differing percentages like thirty, sixty, and hundred help us understand this variation. No matter where we are, we must always strive for totality in our commitment.

The part into which the seeds fall is more like a ‘given.’ Except for the fortunate ones that fall on the good soil, other seeds are incapable of transporting themselves to where the soil is fertile. Whereas for humans, the option to move towards the ‘good soil’ remains open. The journey toward transformation fully depends on us. 

The parable unambiguously makes clear that our growth is proportionate to the degree and depth of our commitment. The bolder the dreams, the harder the commitment!

Let us pray that, upon examining the level of our commitment, we may strive to increase it to 100% and yield likewise. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar