Lenten Growth

Jesus explained the parable to his disciples: “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred times what was sown.”
– Matthew 13:22-23

Lent is a Time of Transformation just as spring is a time of anticipation.  Think of what it’s like to plant a garden. Would you till the soil, plant the seeds, and faithfully monitor the crops if you had no hope for any growth? Would you spend your time, money, and energy for nothing? Of course not. We plant because we expect some return, some fruit for our labors. With this in mind, we can understand how deeply God our Father is committed to the Church. God loves his creation. He loves each and every person. His intention that his Church bear lasting fruit is unshakable and unending. Full of love, God looks for a fruitful return on all he has given us.

Every Lent, God, like a farmer, wants to plant seeds in the Church and watch them spring up. He eagerly waits to see new fruit, both in our own lives and in our neighborhoods and communities. He wants to see his people experience all the grace and power they received at baptism. God longs to see his Church shine as a light to the world as people proclaim the gospel in words and in acts of love.

This past Sunday, the children planted seeds in Sunday School.  We are excited to watch together as God provides new growth.  The natural season of spring brings change every year. Flowers begin to bloom, the earth comes back to life, the air becomes warm and inviting. Similarly, the spiritual season of Lent is a time to look for significant change. Just as God pours out a new spring of life in the natural realm, he is likewise eager to pour out a new spring of life in our hearts to renew and refresh his Church. This Lent, as we look to God, let us reflect especially on our baptism, and on the gift of repentance, with the assurance that God will produce abundant fruit in our lives and in our Church.

Question for the week:  Are there areas in my life that I am holding back from God? Secret parts I don’t want to expose to the light of his love?

Lord, you call us to follow, not just your footsteps but your way of life and your way of thinking.  The things that occupy our thoughts are not the things that occupy yours.  We are full of concern about: Money. Perfect family. Power. Good grades. Friends. Nice car. Winning teams. Good job. Big house. Recognition. Followers. Fame. Vacation. Honor. You are full of concern about grace, love, justice, peace, hope, transformation. About feeding the hungry, offering rest to the weary, and ending oppression. Your life and work seem so opposite to the way the world works. Your thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways, O God.  Help us, Lord, to turn toward your way, to fill our minds with your thoughts, to fill our hearts with your love, to fill our footsteps with your will.  Guide us as we seek your vision of success, though it will mean letting go of our own.  We pray in the name of the One who turned success upside down.  Amen.