Rocks And Thorns

Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13:18-23)

Are we rocky ground or fields of thorns?  Does the Evil One have access to our hearts?  Jesus tells us of the consequences. He also says seed sown on rich soil bears fruit and has great yields.   What he doesn’t say is what is well known by all Cape Cod farmers and backyard gardeners.   

One cannot sit back and not tend those fields and gardens.  For example, without daily care roses wilt and are subject to powdery mildew, aphids, and all sorts of pests, such as the ones chewing up my roses – cute, little rabbits.  Vegetable gardens need weeding and fertilizer.  Bugs need to be picked off, or sprayed (if we’re not organic). In other words, we should never be complacent by thinking we’re “rich soil” so all is well.  The fruit we bear may fall and rot on the ground if we drop our guards.

The Evil One sows seeds in hearts such as greed, envy, laziness, and pride. They also grow on rich soil but must be weeded out.   

Actually, being cast on rocky ground can be a very good location, in a way.   These are the seeds that can overcome the elements and find their way into the cracks and crevices.   They sink their roots deep into the soil underneath.  These are the seeds that grow into tall hemlocks, pines, fir, spruce, and birch. They are adapted to hardship, and that has made them strong.

So, for those of us raised on rocky ground, even in fields of thorns with all the hardships they create, let’s remember we also hear and receive the word with joy.  We survived and find ourselves better able to confront and resist worldly anxiety and the lure of riches.  

We bear fruit, and it’s the cone.  Cones can withstand fire and seed the earth again.  For example, some species, such as the jack pine, even rely on fire to spread their seeds. This pine produces durable "seratonous" (resin-filled) cones.  They remain dormant until a fire occurs and melts the resin.  The cones pop open, and the seeds fall or blow out.  

We hope our hearts will pop open.  Fire is not needed, just the love of Christ enabling us to survive on rocky ground and thrive in fields of sharp thorns.  

Deacon David Pierce