FW: Meditation - September 20, 2014
2 views
Skip to first unread message
teera collaco
Sep 20, 2014, 11:52:23 PM9/20/14
to vilaiporn jerdjamnongwitayakul, suraphol senavinin, Platonic Friend, นารา กิตติเมธีกุล, vivat boonyavanich, suparat vasapark, jcha...@hotmail.com, SSVP Thailand, santi saengnakorn
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:26:08 +0700
Subject: Meditation - September 20, 2014
From: van...@gmail.com
To:
Meditation: Luke 8:4-15
Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn, Priest, Paul Chǒng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
A sower went out to sow his seed. (Luke 8:5)
Five minutes later, he came back in, dragging the seed bag. “What’s the use?” he groaned, plopping into an armchair. The seed was top grade, with a high protein content and a guaranteed “hundredfold” yield in good soil. “But the soil,” he sighed, thinking of the spots that were hard packed, rocky, dry, or weed infested. “And the birds. And the rabbits and deer that devour whatever sprouts.” The sower kicked off his shoes, picked up his iPad, and was soon caught up in a video game.
But Jesus didn’t tell the parable this way. His is a story of perseverance and ultimate victory. His sower scatters the seed of God’s word totally confident that his product will deliver.
But perhaps this skewed retelling expresses how Jesus’ disciples felt when their preaching brought meager results. It must have been helpful to remember that this parable was being enacted among its first audience—an enthusiastic crowd that was running to him “from one town after another” (Luke 8:4). As Jesus foresaw and explained, even his own preaching would not take root in every heart. Some hearers didn’t really listen and believe; some responded superficially; some got distracted. For sowers and receivers alike, the watchword is “bear fruit through perseverance” (8:15).
Keep growing! As gardeners know, soil needs constant enriching and weeding. So do we. Through prayer, service and the pursuit of virtue, let’s be constant gardeners of our hearts so that we can welcome the seed God sends us every day—new understanding, inspirations, and opportunities to love and serve.
Keep sowing! Are people around you eager for the gospel? Or do you encounter apathy, misunderstanding, or hostility as you sow? Whatever the conditions, fix your eyes on Jesus, and keep going.
Remember, you’re not sowing and growing alone. Both in you and in others, the great Sower has made a start. In the end, he will bring forth an astounding harvest of reward beyond all imagining.
“Lord, give me growth as I ponder this seed: ‘Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9).”
1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49; Psalm 56:10-14
Five minutes later, he came back in, dragging the seed bag. “What’s the use?” he groaned, plopping into an armchair. The seed was top grade, with a high protein content and a guaranteed “hundredfold” yield in good soil. “But the soil,” he sighed, thinking of the spots that were hard packed, rocky, dry, or weed infested. “And the birds. And the rabbits and deer that devour whatever sprouts.” The sower kicked off his shoes, picked up his iPad, and was soon caught up in a video game.
But Jesus didn’t tell the parable this way. His is a story of perseverance and ultimate victory. His sower scatters the seed of God’s word totally confident that his product will deliver.
But perhaps this skewed retelling expresses how Jesus’ disciples felt when their preaching brought meager results. It must have been helpful to remember that this parable was being enacted among its first audience—an enthusiastic crowd that was running to him “from one town after another” (Luke 8:4). As Jesus foresaw and explained, even his own preaching would not take root in every heart. Some hearers didn’t really listen and believe; some responded superficially; some got distracted. For sowers and receivers alike, the watchword is “bear fruit through perseverance” (8:15).
Keep growing! As gardeners know, soil needs constant enriching and weeding. So do we. Through prayer, service and the pursuit of virtue, let’s be constant gardeners of our hearts so that we can welcome the seed God sends us every day—new understanding, inspirations, and opportunities to love and serve.
Keep sowing! Are people around you eager for the gospel? Or do you encounter apathy, misunderstanding, or hostility as you sow? Whatever the conditions, fix your eyes on Jesus, and keep going.
Remember, you’re not sowing and growing alone. Both in you and in others, the great Sower has made a start. In the end, he will bring forth an astounding harvest of reward beyond all imagining.
“Lord, give me growth as I ponder this seed: ‘Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9).”
1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49; Psalm 56:10-14
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages