Mtr Mary Trainor

Corn won’t grow at all on Rocky Top,

Dirt’s too rocky by far…

Dear friend

Today’s Gospel (Luke 8:1-15) calls to mind the bluegrass favorite Rocky Top that talks about the difficulty, or impossibility, of life beginning in rocky soil.

This agricultural reality is one basis for Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, a story he shared with a large crowd, but explained privately to disciples—which at this point included Mary Magdalene and other women among those traveling with Jesus.

The Good News of God is scattered among all, much as hand-sown seed lands on whatever ground is nearby. Some ground is more conducive to life than other ground. Whether seed lands on rich loam or rocky soil affects the outcome.

God is the sower and we are the soil. The seed is cast far and wide. So what happens when it lands on us?

In my family’s nursery business we helped customers deal with a wide variety of obstacles to a successful lawn or garden. Gophers, moles, insects—and less than perfect soil.

The good news for nursery customers is that there are many ways to overcome the obstacle of poor soil.

Some solutions call for an investment of money, and some call for an investment of time and labor. The many additives and amendments available can help, But the gardener still needs to make one more investment in order to make it work. The gardener must invest his or her whole heart, for this is also a labor of love.

I believe it’s similar when dealing with spiritual matters. When the seed of the Good News first lands, our soil may be ready for growing, or it may resist what is wanting to grow.

To turn poor spiritual soil into good will require something of us. Like those gardeners wanting to assure a good harvest, one works hard to stave off things that endanger the prospects. Like those gardeners, those who pursue spiritual growth will also invest labor, time and heart.

Additionally, for consideration: Receptivity to what the seeds of the Good News may produce is of importance and, of course, nothing happens apart from the will of God.

Corn may not grow on Rocky Top, but rocky tops can become fertile soil— with time, hard work, a willing heart, openness to the Spirit’s movement, and trust in the will of a loving God.

Mtr. Mary

...filling in this week for Mtr. Kelli Joyce