Toward the Rich Soil!

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Heb 10:11-18; Mk 4:1-20

Today’s Gospel invites us to reflect on four words that, in a way, characterize human life. 

Jesus shows that the parable of the sower can inspire a beautiful reflection on life. 

The four words that describe the condition of the seeds as they fall into different parts of the land prompt self-examination and prod us in the direction of bearing much fruit. 

Eaten Up: The word that describes the condition of the seeds that fall on the path reminds us that if our concentration falls on something inappropriate, it leads to our ruin. The word, in its passive form, is a reminder that destructive patterns may have us eaten up. Hence, it underlines the connection between bearing fruit and directing our attention toward causes appropriate and wholesome. Let us turn inward to see what is eating us up and correct ourselves.

Withered: The word that defines the seeds that fall on the rocky ground reminds us of the need to be firmly rooted in order to bear fruit. The roots are not often seen outside. However, what ensures the survival of what is seen is often what is unseen. If those roots are foundational for our growth, we are called to see if we have found our footing. If God is the source of our lives, others can witness the way we grow and bear fruit. We cannot have our lives withered for lack of roots and foundation. 

Unproductive: This is the word that explains the state of the seeds that fall among thorns and get choked so that they are unproductive and wasteful. If the seeds that fell on the path implied losing our attention in something inappropriate, this is about not being able to prioritize what we need most in life and follow it faithfully to reap the result. Jesus emphasizes priorities to make our lives more meaningful and profound. If we do not stand for something, we fall for everything. 

Productive: This word captures the desirable condition of the seeds as they fall on the rich soil. Here, being productive acts as a corrective because the seeds that fall on the rich soil evade the conditions of other seeds that are affected by birds of the air, rocky ground, or thorns. Jesus reminds us that moral life is not a given. Rather, it is a deliberate effort to strive. Here, Jesus makes a distinction between the unmovable seeds and humans who are moral agents. While the seeds could not decide where they fell, we can determine where we want to be in life. Hence, where we want to find ourselves matters most in this regard. 

Let us pray that we may be aided by God’s grace to ever move toward the rich soil, regardless of where we may find ourselves in life. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar