“Persevering in the Word”

Sexagesima – February 7, AD 2010

St. Luke VIII: 4-15

In today’s gospel lesson from St. Luke, Jesus uses, as He so frequently does, an agricultural metaphor to communicate an important message to His listeners. The parable of the sower is one of the more memorable parables because of the imagery used, and of course, because of the message conveyed.

Most farmers these days, at least in the developed world, don’t have to resort to hand sowing of seed to plant their crops for the season. No, they climb into their air conditioned tractors and rumble over acres of land at a time, cultivating and seeding the soil with relative ease. Yet even with the latest in modern equipment, I’m sure many farmers lift up a prayer that God will bestow favorable weather in the coming days so that the seed with germinate and grow into a bountiful harvest. Yet so many times we read of situations where the weather or other conditions have adversely affected farmers. Floods, sudden freezes, insect infestations, blights – all sorts of variables can create a big problem for the farmer and his crop. Yet farmers are a hardy lot, aren’t they? One season may be a miserable failure in terms of the harvest, yet there they are again at planting time next year, working the soil again with hope and a prayer.

It is this kind of perseverance and faith, whatever the obstacles might be, that our Lord illustrates in the parable of the sower. But the parable is not just about the sower, but also the seed and the soil that the seed lands on. Each of these elements are part of an integrated eco-system of the soul that our Lord clearly explains. And as He makes clear, not all souls are fertile fields for a harvest.

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God,” says Jesus. We know that Word of God to be Jesus the Christ, in Whom the “Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” as St John’s gospel states. We believe this revelation of God was accomplished for our salvation that we might be saved from sin and death and have eternal life.

Unfortunately, for some people, this Word will be perplexing and impossible to accept because Jesus challenges entrenched beliefs. He will be met with denial and fervent opposition fueled by the devil, “lest they should believe and be saved.” These are the people on “the way-side” who hear the Word yet allow the devil to snatch it from their hearts. The seed was never allowed to germinate in the first place and this can result is some very mean and evil people.

For some His words will be exciting at first but will lose their hold on their hearts when the going gets tough and temptations to apostasy overwhelm them. It was outright persecution that followers of Jesus faced in the early days of Christianity, but in our time and place perhaps it is people blowing in the cultural winds who are drawn to the latest worship fads or theological trendiness, or those who are hood-winked by spiritual charlatans and by the feel-good messages of prosperity gospel preachers. These are folks who can’t put down deep roots of faith because when they hit the hard rocks of life just below the surface of their superficial beliefs, their faith will “fall away.”

For some the cares of daily living or making more money or enjoying a hedonistic lifestyle will rip His words from their self-centered lives. These are the “thorns” that choke out spiritual maturity and growth.

But thankfully, some will hear His words, keep them, and let them grow into a bountiful harvest of fruit. These people have cultivated “good ground” with “an honest and good heart”.

How do we see ourselves in this parable? We all want to be with the seed that falls on the “good ground” don’t we? We like to think we are sowers of God’s good news to those who need to hear of His salvation. But if we’re honest with ourselves, don’t we sometimes let the seed of God’s Word be eaten by birds of devilish intent?  If we look into our hearts, don’t we see some rocky places that have caused good seed to wither and die?  Don’t we wander into the thorns of worry or greed or self-indulgence more often than we’d like?  Instead of sowing good news to those we meet, do we more often like to toss barbs of ill will, or empty hands full of indifference?

Like farming for crops, farming for spiritual growth is not always easy. For seed to grow, it requires the right soil. Farmers know they need to put the right nutrients back into the soil for seed to grow properly. Likewise, we need to work the soil of our being – our body, mind, and spirit – with the proper nutrients. What are some of those nutrients? The last sentence of our gospel lesson points to some good nutrients we should apply. For example, “an honest and good heart.” You know what our Lord thought of hypocrisy. Let’s be honest with ourselves and own up to our failings, seek forgiveness of God and one another, and move forward with the assurance that Jesus came to save sinners. And when we hear the Word, let’s “keep it.” That means commitment. How committed are we to the mission our Lord gives those who follow Him? Are we committed to the spiritual disciplines of regular prayer and worship? What about tithing and fasting? Are we committed enough to have a burning desire to “bring forth fruit” for God’s Kingdom? Accomplishing great things does require committed, and yes, even sacrificial discipline, not just enthusiasm. Do we have the “patience.” for the task? “Patience” can be translated as “perseverance.” Despite many obstacles and temptations, can we persevere to the end? A great prize awaits us, if we do. Some may say it’s impossible. All we have to do is look at the life of St. Paul to know that it can be done.

Who more than St. Paul would have occasion to give up and wimp out? We heard in the Epistle reading some of the things he had to endure for the faith – beatings, stonings, and many other perils, including that of “false brethren.” Yet he could find glory in all these sufferings. St. Paul writes in Romans, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” [Romans 5: 2b-4]

Ultimately, it is only through this love that God pours into our hearts that we are able to embark on and be sustained in our mission. It is not our own doings that save us, but God acting in us through the Word made flesh and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Can we feel God stirring that good earth within us in preparation for the sowing? Why resist it? Just let it happen. When it happens, we can witness to the truth of Jesus’ parable of the sower, and to these words of St. Paul:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” [Hebrews 12: 1]  Amen.

And now unto God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all might, majesty, honor, and dominion, as is most justly due this day, both now and forever, Amen.