Heart : One in Four

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Sixteenth  Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 13:18-23*

*First Reading : Jer 3:14-17*

*Heart : One in Four*

*1) Parable of the Sower and the four different places*

The parable of the sower distinguishes four different places while sowing the seeds 

The path way, the rocky ground, the area with thorny bushes and the place where good soil is found 

In the parable these are four different places, in which the seeds fell, while sowing 

*2) One Heart with Four places*

When we apply this parable our life, the place of sowing the seeds of the word of God is our own heart or life 

There is only one heart. There can't be four hearts. But the same heart can have mixture of four different areas

So one place with four different outlooks can be seen

*3) Heart and Pathway*

Some of the hearts are like pathways. 

Whatever is sown is eaten by the birds. These birds are nothing but the evil one in our spiritual life 

Pathway is used by some one else for walking. It is the devil who takes our heart for its evil purpose

*4) Heart and Rocky Ground*

This is another variant of the heart. In the parable it is the second place where the seeds fell 

They sprouted but could not survive, because of the lack of roots 

Heart with a rocky ground can't help the seed to have strong roots for the survival

Heart with rocky ground finally destroys all the seeds 

*5) Heart with Thorn bushes*

It gives opportunity for unwanted things than the good seed. 

When Unwanted wordly things grow in the heart, they don't allow the seed to grow and produce good fruit 

*6) Heart with Good Soil*

The seed produced good fruit. 

Heart with Good soil always produces good fruit. 

*7) The Challenge to my Heart*

What type of heart I have 

Heart similar to pathway? 

Heart similar to rocky ground? 

Heart similar to thorny bushes? 

Heart with Good soil? 

We need to find out the situation of my heart and its usefulness for the seed

Need to concentrate to clear that stones and thorny bushes to make it fruitful for the seed 

Need to open the pathway for the inflow of God's grace to make the soil more fertile 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*