"Mark well, then, the parable of the sower. The seed along the path is the man
who hears the message about God's reign without understanding it. The evil one
approaches him to steal away what was sown in his mind." -Matthew
13:18-19
The fact that you're reading this book means you are probably
not the footpath. You have received the seed of God's Word. If you have read
this book and especially the daily Scripture readings regularly for an extended
time, you are probably not the rocky ground (see Mt 13:20). You are in the
minority of people in our society who have the potential to bear fruit.
Therefore, if you bear thorns rather than fruit (see Mt 13:22), it will be a
great loss to the world. If you don't bear fruit, who will? "When much has been
given a man, much will be required of him" (Lk 12:48). In a world of footpaths
and rocky ground, the Church desperately needs you to bear fruit to the maximum.
Therefore, you must be very careful to watch and pray so that "worldly
anxiety and the lure of money" do not choke off your rare, precious, and greatly
needed fruit (Mt 13:22). Even if you are not rich, be careful not to desire to
be rich, for "those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and a trap.
They are letting themselves be captured by foolish and harmful desires which
drag men down to ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all
evil. Some men in their passion for it have strayed from the faith, and have
come to grief amid great pain" (1 Tm 6:9-10). Don't give up your lifesaving
potential to bear fruit for a comfortable, pleasurable, barren lifestyle, for
Jesus commands us to live in Him and to bear fruit abundantly (Jn
15:5).
Father, make me fruitful even in the midst of a barren
desert.
"Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long
life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you." -Ex 20:12
7/24/15
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