One of my favorite jokes is from actress Kaitlin Olson (paraphrased here): A guy is desperately late for an important appointment as he circles the city streets in his car. He says, “God, I’m not a religious man, but I really need a parking space. If you can help me out, just this once, I promise I’ll go to Church, I’ll give to charity, I’ll be a better person.” And, lo, as if by a miracle, a parking spot opens up just in front of him! The man looks up and says, “Never mind, God; I found one!”
As much as God loves and encourages a deep, personal relationship with Him, it’s important for us to remember that our most primal, human inclinations are generally not what God would do or encourage. I was reminded of this from today’s readings. The first reading, from Exodus, details how God fed His people in the desert during their 40 years in the desert, famously delivering the foodstuff called manna. It’s a great story about how God provides for our needs. Expanding a bit beyond this reading is illuminating for me. There, we learn of the regulations regarding manna that Moses passed along from God: Don’t try to amass large quantities (it won’t matter; God will make sure everyone has enough) and don’t try to hoard it (God will provide each day).
Despite being instructed not to by Moses, some folks immediately tried to gather extra manna: “When some kept a part of it over until the following morning, it became wormy and rotten. Therefore Moses was displeased with them.” (Ex 16:20) Although I find the actions of those hoarders annoying, it’s understandable in its own way; usually the world seems to reward those who gather as much as they can when the opportunity presents itself.
In a similar way, the Gospel selection from Matthew has Jesus giving the parable of the sower. Here, Jesus describes a sower spreading his seeds far and wide. Some seed fell to the path to get eaten by birds, some fell on shallow soil and got burnt by the sun, some fell among thorns, and some fell on rich soil and “produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Later, Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God — the message of Christ. Sometimes it’s dismissed entirely, like seed on a path; sometimes it take root in “shallow soil,” making it susceptible to getting pulled up in adversity; sometimes it takes root but is choked by the thorns of worldly concerns, and sometimes it takes root like it should, yielding great results.
What I find interesting about this parable is that it plays with human expectations in two ways. First, taken literally, the parable is kind of shocking. Seed is expensive! Why on Earth would you fling it willy-nilly? Why not take some effort and plant it more judiciously?
But when you know Jesus’ intended meaning, it’s still shocking. Wait; you’re supposed to spread the Good News to everyone?! Like, even folks who don’t want to hear it, or those who are opposed, or those of other faiths, or those who are likely to receive the faith shallowly?
Indeed!
Reflecting on the nature of today’s readings – and the larger message of Sacred Scripture and our Tradition – my takeaway is this: You can’t receive God’s blessings on human terms. That is, you can’t say, “Oh, I’m going to trust God implicitly, but when God presents me with a blessing I’m going to be as greedy as possible in sucking the marrow out of that blessing,” or “I’m going to spread the word like Jesus wants, but only where it will be most effective, so I’m not wasting my time.”
God doesn’t intend us to follow Him halfway. He doesn’t intend for us to turn to him in need, and then say, “Never mind; I’ll take it from here!” He doesn’t want us to be timid or overcautious in spreading the Word or doing good works. He wants our hearts and our minds in all earnestness. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but the intent should be there. Today is a good day to reflect on if, how, and to what extent you trust God. Would you gorge yourself on his blessings, fearful that God may not give you another chance? Would you hold your tongue in proclaiming the Word because you fear the seed may be “wasted”? How much do you trust God, and do your thoughts and actions reflect that trust? If you realize your trust isn’t where it could be, it’s never too late. God is always waiting, hoping for us to get closer to Him.
Today’s readings: Ex 16:1-5,9-15; Ps 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28; Mt 13:1-9
