“GIVEN THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM”
Saint Luke 8: 4-15
Septuagesima: 12 February Anno Domini 2023
Fr Jay Watson, SSP
Yes, even though God Himself explains in detail the meaning of this parable, His parable, it still has to be preached. The truth needs to be sermonized because sinful and fallen man—even Christian man—will either not read this text, internalize this text (i.e., meditate upon it), or will misinterpret Matthew 8. 4-15.
Jesus tells you what it means, because you too are His disciples. You may not be the “12” but you are still His, and “unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.”
The seed is The Word of God. The “Johnny-Appleseed” sower who “went out to sow his seed” is God in the flesh—Jesus The Christ. Both the very words from Christ’s mouth—all of His teachings, preachings, declarations, absolutions, exorcisms, proverbial aphorisms, parables, every single word from His holy lips is the “seed!” Yes. But more so, He with His flesh and blood is the Living Seed—God incarnate.
His words, and He The Word, is to go everywhere—broadcast, not narrow-cast. This is why He tells the “12” at the end of Matthew’s Evangel “go ye therefore and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” [Mt. 28.19-20]
They did. The Church does. And this rain, this snow, this moisture and water of the Word does not return void, but waters those it waters and produces the crop God produces.
In the parable itself (vv. 4-8), the seed, Jesus, falls, descends from heaven like the True Mana that He is on different types of ground—for God so loved the world. But when The Lord interprets the parable for His followers (vv. 11-15) the seed in no longer mentioned but rather, only, the hearers—people—recipients—all the nations—are mentioned.
This is what it is. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by The Word (Jesus) of God. “For through The Word and Sacraments as through instruments, The Holy Ghost is given, Who worketh faith where and when it pleaseth God in them that hear the Gospel” [AC V].
Do not begrudge God doing what He will with His own creation and His own inner-Trinitarian will and design. God is love. God is good. God is Grace.
Take heart that you are the good ground where with honest and good hearts you have both heard the word and you keep the word.
You heard the word at the + font where Christ spoke to you and in you and on you His adoption of Mercy and Forgiveness. You have kept His word, The Word made flesh when you hear His Words in Scripture (study, prayer, absolution, confession of faith) and when you bodily eat and drink them/Him!
So yes, be a little imitator of The Sower. Tell everyone what He has done—for you—for your own. Move on down the road and keep on going wherever your life’s vocation and calling lead you and keep on broadcasting. The Holy Ghost will use your lips and tongues to Trumpet Christ Crucified to all audiences.
The only One who is honest; the only One with a good heart; the only one with patience; is He Who spent 33 long years sowing Himself to all He encountered knowing full well that many are called but few are chosen. It is Jesus and only Jesus who with suffering-servant patience endured the cross and the pain of crucifixion—the shame of being your sin and the world’s sin. It is only Jesus Who Himself is the true fruit, the true “hundredfold” crop.
Work hard? Yes. Resist the devil by studying the “seed” in Scripture daily and diligently? Yes. Do not get frustrated when you don’t see results of The Word. Yes, you are not God and you are not The Holy Spirit. Making fruit is not your calling. You have been made fruit yourselves.
If Christ is The Head and you are the body—which you are—then so too Christ The Vine, firstfruits of The Resurrection, has made you His branches, fruits of His own person and work.
From The Cross, to the chalice, to the paten, to the font, to the pulpit, to the rail, to the Good Ground gathered here today by God, the fruit abounds with love and service.
You have ears! You hear! You are now given again the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of The Holy Ghost
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