Twenty-Fourth Saturday of Ordinary Time

Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.”

The knowledge of the mysteries of God is something we all struggle with. We believe, but don’t always understand why we believe. However, that’s what faith is, choosing to believe in something in spite of our doubts and lack of knowledge. Jesus revealed many of God’s mysteries to his disciples and they have passed this understanding onto us through the Scriptures and the traditions of the Church. The parables of Christ still challenge people today, just as much as they did when Jesus first spoke them. His explanation reminds us of the deeper meaning of all of Jesus’ words and works. We can learn a lot about ourselves through his words. Perhaps we know people who are like the seeds taken away by the birds or those who land on rocky ground. Perhaps we realize that for most of our lives we have been like the seeds among the thorns, too busy with worldly things to bear mature fruit. Some of us may be seeds living in the good soil of God’s gospel and bearing much fruit. No matter where we are at the moment, God is always within reach and willing to transplant us into His good soil. Hopefully, we have the wisdom to accept God’s offer and bear good fruit in faith, hope, and charity.

Where have we landed in this parable? If we aren’t in the good soil, then how can we get there? What are the fruits of our faith?

O Lord, plant us in your good soil.

Amen.