Let's get busy!

Readings and my meditation for Saturday, September 19, 2009
1 Timothy 6:13-16
Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Luke 8:4-15

The reading from Paul's letter to Timothy was preceded by his criticism of religion teachers whose minds had corrupted God's truth and now used religion to compete with one another for material gain.

Paul, concerned for Timothy in such an environment, exhorts him to pursue true wealth by winning converts through teaching the gospel as Christ presented it. As a man of God, Timothy is also encouraged to be an example by living the Faith, being as righteous, devoted, loving, patient and gentle as Christ. Nothing is more destructive to people's faith and their hope for salvation than hypocrites who teach but lack a true and intimate knowledge of God gained only through sincere and diligent prayer.

Christ, using the parable of the sower, expands the theme of our first reading. God is the sower Whose work reveals the condition of human hearts by liberally sowing His holy Word, the seed, over all the ground. That which falls on yielding and fertile ground nurtures the seeds and bears food to feed many. The others who give little or nothing of themselves resist the seed, remaining barren or producing poorly.

Though everyone received equally, each reacted differently to God's seeds of truth and love. His disciples wanted to know more so they sought His help and to them he promised understanding. The point is, to those who do not seek, do not strive to know, do not explore, think, and pray, these parables are merely nice little stories. Jesus promises that those who truly look will see and those who truly listen will understand. One fact presented by this parable is that the attitudes, pleasures and conditions in the world, occupy many to the point where they cannot see beyond acquiring things, getting instead of giving.

So it’s no wonder why some rich, successful people are unhappy, ever looking to get more or fearing to lose their gains. They suffer from spiritual destitution; they have lost the most fulfilling, joyful and peaceful half of their lives.

Paul urges Timothy to live simply, not fall into the money trap, and to pursue righteousness instead of things.

The psalms remind us that God made us, we belong to him, we are his people, his flock. God is the Lord, our creator, and our shepherd. He is good and his kindness and faithfulness last forever. Our natural response to God should joyful singing, service, coming before him, thanksgiving, praise, and blessing. Failing to praise and serve God is unnatural. Those who think God is worthy open their mouths and say so and then act upon it.

We can pray that God will turn our hard, crusty hearts into hearts of flesh that are able to receive and keep His Word. We can work to go deeply into the love of God so that the Word cannot easily be snatched away. We can also take definite steps to simplify our lives and disentangle ourselves from the anxieties, riches, and pleasures of this life, which choke our faith.

Finally, even the good soil Christians are not those who have no say in the matter, as if God simply chose them, makes them good soil, and that is that. No, the rich soil people are those who embrace the word and then persevere. This calls us to effort, struggle, and pain. Only God can create a generous and good heart within us but, even after He does this, we must embrace the word of God with our whole being and hold on for dear life. God promises a mature, rich harvest but it is not automatic, not without effort, and not apart from the desire for it. God, in His grace, produces the seed. We work on the soil. And God grants the increase.