We Can Never Have Too Much…
In reading or hearing a parable, we can easily be distracted by what is happening to the character – his/her story: the woman searching for her lost coin, the young man who could not give up his riches to follow Jesus, the bent over woman in the synagogue, the prodigal son or father. We want to know the rest of their story. What happened to them? How were they changed by their encounter with Jesus? We are not privy to any of this. Or we read it as a challenge – what would I do in a similar situation? What is Jesus trying to tell me about me and what He wants of me?
This reading is not a quiz – which type of soil am I? In today’s gospel we hear of “A Sower” who scatters seeds on several types of soil. Who is the main character here? As in all parables, Jesus is the main character. The parables are always about Jesus and how He interacts with others. What is Matthew trying to tell us about Jesus? In all the parables the focus is on Jesus. The parable is telling us something about Jesus. As Ronald Rolheiser points out, Jesus is The Sower, Jesus, God, throws seeds hither and yon. The Sower, it appears is not concerned where the seeds land. The Sower just keeps throwing out seed. The Sower seemingly has an endless supply of seed. We don’t know what happens to the seed. The parable is not about the soil or what happens to the seeds. Is it about me?
This reading reminds me of the tv commercial of the kindergarten teacher who while wiggling her fingers and smiling says, “You can never have too much glitter!” I think she is right!! As many teachers and parents know- open a jar of glitter and it goes everywhere! It sparkles, highlights and brightens all it lands upon. Glitter is almost impossible to control. Glitter is practically essential to any child’s art. It highlights and brings joy to (most) spectators! It brings a sense of freedom to the artist and a smile or chuckle to (many) observers. Depending upon where it lands, it brings out different colors. Glitter finds hiding places – in pockets, hair, inside socks and shoes, corners of the floor, unimaginable places!
In today’s gospel reading, we hear of The Sower, Jesus indiscriminately flinging out fistfuls of seed, glittering graces landing on each of us - we rich, we poor, we lame and disfigured, we healthy, we the just, we the unjust, we warriors and we peace keepers. Jesus glitters, graces each one of us with His love, His joy, His hope. Not because of who I am, what I do or not do, but soley because I am. I am His. He loves and cares for me. God takes me as I am. God wants our best selves to glitter with His endless supply of grace. So, He keeps sowing glittering grace upon all of us!! I invite us today to notice a seed of glittering grace on me and on someone else. Notice how this makes you feel! Notice your own body language.
…Glittering Grace!
Amen
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
