Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - St. Francis De Sales
[Hebrews 10:11-18 and Mark 4:1-20]"And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit."
Of course the line above is the "best case scenario!" Jesus' parable of the sower and the seed is a powerful reminder to preachers and teachers and all of us about the way in which the message is preached and received. When I was in the seminary, I often heard a quotation that came from medieval philosophy: "Whatever is received is received according to the manner of the receiver!" In other words, we can't determine how our message is understood or even if it is heard! We have to do our best to sow the seed. There are all kinds of conditions that can help or hinder the communication of the word. Looking out at a congregation while preaching provides me with plenty to think about in this regard. I often know the personal circumstances of certain parishioners. "This will be painful to him/her. Will he/she be able to accept it?" "This message will be received enthusiastically - for awhile, at least, but not for long." Speaking with members of the congregation after Mass is another way to find out about the reception of the message. "Oh Father, you were so right when you said......(I said that?)" If we are honest, we Preachers must admit that "It's all God's work." We cannot determine the success of the preaching other than to do our best. We also must be humble enough to admit that we (and not just us preachers!) have all kinds of "soil" within us. Some of it is receptive and some is not. Some of it is vulnerable to competing interests, and some of it is rich and yields an abundant richness. Perhaps a hint to success is in Jesus' exhortation: "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear!" AMEN
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