I want to start a garden – he told
the owner of the garden center – but my yard is a problem. I get blazing sun in
the afternoon for two hours, but otherwise it’s all shade. How about the soil?
– Hard clay, lots of rocks. What do you recommend I plant? Why don’t you check out aisle 2 – we have a
new supply of Birdbaths and flag poles!
Passing on the faith is just like
planting – sometimes there are many obstacles. Unlike modern farming, where
seeds are put in nice straight rows, the farmers of Jesus time just tossed the
seed. It landed in all sorts of places:
Some fell on hard soil. Saw on
“CBS This Morning” New on line grocer called “Brandless.” Sell about 200
products – everything is $3.00. They sell directly to consumers, saving people
money. Owners say 78% of customers are
millennials born between 1981-1997 or so.
They:
-
Don’t want to buy products they grew up with
-
Don’t want their parents government
-
Don’t want their parents institutions
-
Don’t want to go with brands.
Soil is hard!!!
Some fell on rocky ground – no roots
Was a time we valued things like motherhood,
fatherhood, fraternity, civic involvement, church involvement – this has given
way to SAT scores and future earning power.
Marriage and religious participation is being replaced by striving for
money, power, prestige.
Instead of bringing happiness – has led to great loss
of meaning and hope. Since the 1980’s loneliness among adults in USA increased
from 20% to 40 %. Social isolation is
now a major public health crisis – on par with cancer & heart disease. Life expectancy of Americans is decreasing
for first time since 1930’s. I don’t
have to tell you – drugs, suicide is now 2nd leading cause of death
among teens and young adults. NO
ROOTS!
Some fell among briars & choked it. Two brothers
were Christians – Clarence & Robert. Clarence involved with civil rights
&Robert was a lawyer. Once Clarence asked Robert for legal help – no, it
could hurt my career. I thought you were a follower of Christ? - only
to a point, I am not following him onto the cross. Robert, you are not a follower of Christ,
only an admirer. Faith choked!
Some found good soil – we
realize the difference faith can make –
Beautiful Vacation Bible School – Sister Marie
teaching Catechists about their faith – collecting clothing & food for
homeless for Midnight Run – St. Joseph’s Men’s group delivering beds to the
poor – and our own garden out back – delicious vegetables for the food pantry
So – we keep throwing the seed – and we don’t give up
- because we have something here – a light in the darkness – THE way to
experience peace, fulfillment and joy!
