Today’s Gospel reading tells us the parable of the sower who planted seeds on the various types of ground: some falling by the wayside, some on the rocky ground, some among the thorns, and some on fertile soil.

The seed falling by the wayside is trampled upon and the birds of the air devour it. The seed falling on the rocky ground cannot take root and soon dies. The seed falling among the thorns, is able to take root, but as it grows it becomes choked by the thorns and weeds. The seed falling on the good soil springs up and produces an abundant crop.

When the disciples asked our Lord to explain the parable, He did so, making very clear His message and meaning.

Our Lord explained that the seed is the word of God. Some hear the word of God but the devil quickly springs upon them and they are like the seed fallen by the wayside. Some hear the word of God, but do not allow it to take root within their mind and heart. They are like the seed fallen upon the rocks. Some hear the word of God and are inspired by it, but they are soon distracted and brought down by the cares of this world. They are like the seed fallen among the thorns.  And some hear the word of God and are brightened and ennobled by it and they are able to bring forth good fruit with patience. These are like the seed that falls upon the fertile ground.

I would hope that all of us wish to be that fertile ground that brings forth fruit for the Lord. But what does it take for us to be fertile ground for the grace of God? Let’s take the theme of this parable a little further and examine four things that make for good and fertile ground…

First of all, good and potentially fertile soil must be broken. The first thing a farmer or gardener must do is break up the soil so that it can be receptive to the planting of seeds. Shovels and spades are used to break through the surface of the soil, turning it over and making it supple and workable. The same thing is necessary for us… if we are to make progress in the spiritual life, we have to expect and accept to be broken. If we are not willing to allow God to break through that crusty layer of our pride and ego, there will be no spiritual growth for us. This is a difficult thing for us to do… we guard our selfishness and are often afraid to dare to surrender to God. But this is how it is… we see this process over and over again in the life of our Lord: He takes, breaks, blesses, and gives. It is true of the ground being readied for planting, it is true of the Bread of Life, and it is true in God’s relationship with us. We must be taken, broken, blessed, and then we can be given the grace of God.

Secondly, the ground must be watered. If the seed of the Word of God is to grow within this tilled and rich soil, great care must be taken to regularly water the soil. The metaphor for us is that we must make a conscious effort to water and nourish our soul with those spiritual foods that edify and fortify the growth of our soul. First and foremost among the things that nourish our soul is partaking of the sacraments of the Church: the offering of repentance and forgiveness through Confession and communing of the Body and Blood of Christ. There is no more effective and powerful nutrient for the soul than these. And we must be careful to edify our soul throughout each day through prayer, spiritual reading, guarding our eyes, ears, and tongue from those things that we know will bring us down.

Third… as the seed begins to sprout, the ground must give way in order for the roots to grow. This is an extremely important spiritual lesson for us all. It is a symptom of the modern age that we would desire for the grace and love of God to come into our lives, but that we make no provision to make room for this infusion of grace by clearing out the junk that currently fills our lives. We want God to fill our bucket, but we refuse to dump it out beforehand. We cling jealously to our selfish desires, our plans, and our will. This leaves no room for God to enter and make His abode in us. Just as the soil must give way for the growth and spreading of the roots, we too must have the humility and trust to yield our will to the will of God.

Finally, the last element we will talk about in our planting analogy is that other ingredient which helps this soil which has been tilled and watered and softened… a dose of fertilizer is often used to enrich the soil and aide in the growth of the seed and young plant. We must not be upset or surprised or resentful when we run into obstacles, difficulties, sufferings, and temptations. We must look upon such things as the fertilizer that actually helps in the development of our soul – for this is truly how it is. We need to endure our sufferings with patience and with love – keeping the eyes of our soul above the particulars of the specific problem or temptation that is besetting us, reaching out to God and asking Him to be with us and help us in our troubles. Indeed it is often the case that it is our sufferings and times of trial and crisis that bring us closest to God.

Let us take care to make sure we are that rich soil that is receptive to the planting of the seed of God. Let us have the courage to be broken and tilled, to take great care to water and nourish our soul with the sacraments of the Church and with daily sources of inspiration. Let’s ‘get over ourselves’ and our selfish preoccupations so that we can make room for God to work in our lives. And let us have the eternal perspective to not let the inevitable ‘fertilizer’ of life get us down or make us upset. We must endure such things with the realization that such things can be to our spiritual benefit and growth… it all depends on how we respond.

If we can remember these things and focus on fulfilling them, we may become that rich soil that produces the good fruit of Christian virtue. May God grant that it be so!