We hear an all too familiar parable in the first reading today and the meaning is made plain by the Master Himself. The seed is the word of God, and we are the field. As we listen to His word today, we are invited to look deep into our hearts. What type of soil am I? We would love to say ‘the good soil’ but the truth sometimes is far from it. I see in me a mixture of all four soils. There are areas in my life that are so exposed to the world, hardened and teeming with cares and worries that however much I listen to the word of God, it ceases to bear any kind of fruit. There is also a part in me that is so receptive of the word of God that it acts as the perfect soil. Once we are aware of the nature of soil within us, we only have to dig and rake the hardened soil, clear away the rocks, burn the thorny weeds and prepare the soil to be rich and ready for the seed.

Prayer: Abba Father, let our ears be truly attentive to Your Holy word so that it may take root within us and bear fruit in abundance. Amen!