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TODAY’S WORD…

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“Listen!

A farmer went out to sow his seed.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path…

Some fell on rocky places…

Other seed fell among thorns…

Still other seed fell on good soil…”

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Then Jesus said,

”Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

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– Mark 4:3-9 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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God sends us out to sow generously

without letting any opportunity to sow the seed of faith pass us by:

work, leisure, home, travel, sickness, chance meetings…wherever and whenever…

all can be an opportunity to sow in somebody

the seed that later will come to fruition.

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God sends us out to sow generously,

but we need to remember that we are only instruments

which God makes use of for the salvation of souls

and that, as instruments, we should make sure that we are in a good state of repair

so that God can use us!

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In the parable that Jesus tells us,

the sower’s seed fell everywhere and not just in the good soil of the field.

It also fell on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns.

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What reason could he have for sowing seed among thorns or on stones or on the much trampled ground?

If it had been a matter of seed and of good earth,

he would have no reason, because it is not possible for stone to become productive soil,

or that the path should cease to be a path,

or that the thorns should stop being what they are.

With souls it is otherwise.

Here is possible for stone to be transformed into rich loam,

and for the path no longer to be trodden on

or to remain an open thoroughfare to all those who pass by,

and for all of these to become a fertile field instead.

It is possible for the thorns to disappear

and for seed to bear fruit on that ground. (St. John Chrysostom)

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For God,

there is no ground which is too hard

or that has previously been too poorly cultivated.

If we are humble and patient,

through prayer, fasting and the sacraments,

we can keep ourselves in “a good state of repair”

and obtain for God the grace that is needed

to transform the interior dispositions of the souls we want to bring closer to Him.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Here I am, Lord, listening.

Mould me, change me, fill me

and make me an instrument of Your love and peace and joy.

Here I am, Lord, use me!

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… … … … … … … … … … … …… …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.