Jesus places great emphasis on the ground in which we are planted

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ “The remnant.” It is a rather strange and rarely used word outside the context of the scriptures. The “line of David,” which was to produce the messiah was, according to the scriptures, protected by God; and when it was dispersed and dragged into exile like it was in Babylon, it was promised that God would bring it back, and over time multiply it to fulfill his promises.

Jeremiah’s prophecies are here making that clear. This remnant — a few gathered from here, and a few from there; from this family, and from that clan — was in the process of being chosen by God and re-established what would become the great city of Jerusalem where God would establish his throne and be forever present to all the nations.

Not a tent or an ark, not even the ark of the covenant, would be necessary nor would they any longer “think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another.” No! The city of Jerusalem itself would be God’s throne, and recognized as such. The people would return to that place; and return also in their heart to faithfulness, and to truly being God’s people. Finally Jeremiah’s doom and gloom would become hope and joy!

The Gospel continues Jesus’ parable of the sower, but instead of focusing on the sower in the parable, Jesus interprets the parable with this reflection not on the sower, but on the ground that receives the seeds. This changes the parable, putting an enormous importance on hearing, receiving, being open, and ready to act on the word of God — which is the seed.

So then, for the word to become effective, the condition of the soil (our hearts and souls) was all-important. The point Jesus was making was abundantly clear. And just as surely as the disciples were hearing this message of Jesus, and questioning the condition of their hearts and souls — and their receptivity to the word of God — the same is true today for us.

Jesus’ words are so clear; perhaps the only response is: “Duh! We get it, Lord. We do understand what you are telling us, and we do want to produce thirty, sixty.

No! We want to produce 100-fold!”

Featured image by —
Jametlene Reskp | Unsplash