We have heard Jesus’ parables so many times over the years
that we tend to believe we already understand their message. For example, we
believe the parable of the sower and the seed is telling us to let the word of
God take root in us. That’s true as far as it goes, but in this week’s retreat
at Mount St. Scholastica, Fr. Eugene Hensell proposed another lesson of this
parable: Our task as disciples is to be sowers of the seed and let God take
care of the harvest. How different our lives would be if we simply did our work
without basing our self-worth on the outcome!
If our task as disciples of Jesus is simply to spread the
good news, it bears considering how we should go about doing that. After all, not
everyone has the skills or opportunity to be a preacher. Jesus gives us a hint:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”
(Jn 13:35). Francis of Assisi is even more clear: “Preach the Gospel at all
times. If necessary, use words.” Our acts of kindness and compassion speak more
loudly than words about the good news: There is another way to live than to
measure our days based on wealth, success, fame, productivity, and competition.
When we act lovingly, we proclaim that we are rooted in God’s ways, with the
freedom that comes from letting God take it from there.
It appears that Jesus’ parables have more to teach us than
meets the eye, even after a lifetime of listening to them.
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