Last week and this, Jesus gives us parables about seeds and sowers. God sows the word and is determined to attract us. As we heard last week, our response to that word varies. Sometimes we respond wholeheartedly and sometimes we are more ambivalent. And then we look around and see all of those whose lives indicate that they have not embraced the Gospel. We see those who live selfishly so they can get ahead. Who cheat their way to the top. Whose moral life is a scandal. Who don’t go to church. And sometimes we have to admit they seem pretty happy. And the doubt begins to gnaw at us – maybe we should give in to temptation and we would be happier. Or maybe we wonder why God doesn’t smite them.

But then we look at our life and notice those inconsistencies. The times we were lukewarm about our faith. The times we did not act in moral or ethical ways. The areas of our lives where we allow sinfulness to reign. And then we realize that we are blessed by the patience of our God. We too, benefit when God does not exact swift judgment and punishment. We realize that our lives are a work in progress – and so are the lives of the people around us. So, before we get out our pens and paper and start our list of those we consider weeds in the garden of the Lord we will look into our own heart, recognize our own need for God’s healing and thank the Lord for his mercy.

Bishop approves early introduction of sung parts of the newly translated Mass

Bishop Quinn has approved the early introduction of the newly translated Gloria, Holy and Memorial Acclamations when they are sung. If these texts are not sung the present translation is to be used. And of course, since the Gospel Acclamation and Great Amen have not changed new settings of those may be introduced as well.

This early introduction was proposed by the Bishops' Commitee on Divine Worship and approved by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The priests of the Diocese will get a copy of the letter from Archbishop Aymond containing the permission in the coming weeks.

One of the intents is to allow communities to gradually introduce and learn the new translation. This will be especially useful with the Gloria which otherwise would be practiced and then not used until Immaculate Conception and Christmas. With this earlier introduction we will be able to sing with joy and confidence when the Gloria arrives at Christmas.

Next Saturday is our second music reading session. Join us at St. Mary's in Worthington. Pre-registration helps us prepare materials but if your plans change and you can come at the last minute don't hesitate to do so.

Music Reading Session

Thanks to all who attended the music reading session on Saturday. Over 50 people gathered to read through music from several publishers. It was great to be together. We have a priest visiting from India for the mission appeal and he wanted to know if everyone knew the music already since they sang so well! The next sessions will be Saturday, July 23 at St. Mary, Worthington and August 6 at St. Francis, Rochester. Registration is $10.00 per parish so bring as many as you wish.

The Sower Went Out to Sow

Waste and failure. That is what we have in the parable Jesus tells us today. All the seed and the farmer’s hard work have produced nothing. This was Jesus’ experience in his own ministry. At first there was lots of excitement at his wise teachings and miraculous cures; later growing signs of hostility and rejection, which eventually led to his condemnation and death. Jesus’ efforts for the reign of God, like the farmer’s for the harvest, seemed to end only in waste and failure. But the story’s conclusion brings a sudden contrast. Some of the seed falls on good soil and yields grain a hundred- or sixty- or thirty-fold. A twenty-fold yield was considered a bumper crop in those days. But Jesus describes a harvest that exceeds this figure by as much as five times. Jesus knew that in spite of all the waste and failture, an abundant harvest, indeed a mega-harvest, is certain.
The failure of most of the farmer’s efforts shows that much does not turn out right in human life. Much of Jesus’ work looked like failure. But no farmer has failed to reap a good crop because there were bare patches in the field. In spite of the waste and failure, the harvest is plentiful, thanks to God alone.
Jesus message today is one of encouragement in the midst of defeat and failure. So much of the Church’s work seems wasted. Our own efforts to live as sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, to be his living and life-giving disciples, end time and time again in failure. Will we ever make progress, we wonder?
The abandon with which the sower scatters his seed reflects the abandon with which God spreads His word before us. He knows there will be those who do not listen. He knows there will be those who do not respond. He knows there will be those who turn away. But again and again God speaks a word of promise, of hope, of challenge. We may, at times discover that all four kinds of soil are within each of us: hardened, rocky, weed-infested, and also productive. But Jesus encourages us to have confident hope in spite of failure. “Have patience and faith,” he tells us. “Do your God-given work for God and others. Sow the seed of holiness in every part of your life. Leave the rest to God. The harvest is certain. When it comes, it will be greater than you can possibly imagine. When the time comes, it will be greater than you can possibly imagine.” Why? Because this harvest really depends on God, not on us.

Join us

The first of the new Missal music reading sessions is tomorrow at St. Joseph in Owatonna. Over 50 people have signed up and the packets are together and ready to go. If you are in the area join us at 10 a.m.

The next sessions will be on Saturday, July 23 at St. Mary in Worthington and August 6 at St. Francis in Rochester.

"My Yoke is Easy." Is it?

Jesus says that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, but this may not be entirely true. The burden Jesus alludes to are the demands of the law, and instead of preaching permissiveness, Jesus usually intensifies the demands. So it may not be that his burden actually is lighter; rather, it feels lighter once we have put on his yoke. Remember, oxen are usually yoked together to pull a load. The yoke Jesus offers us is one he also wears. Side by side we are to walk, watching and doing as Jesus does. Side by side we are to learn by his grace the way of gentle humility until one day we too may soar the celestial heights.

Steven P. Brey and Lynda C. Ward. AT HOME WITH THE WORD, 1999: SUNDAY SCRIPTURES AND REFLECTIONS. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1998, page 107

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCtoarLpupM&feature=player_detailpage