Patient Endurance – Reflection on Luke 8:4-15
A few years ago, I woke before dawn to become instantly aware that I was supposed to hike after prayer. After reading today’s scripture, I chose a particularly narrow trail despite the heavy fog. Everything slowed me down. Roots came out of nowhere. The path I was on was nearly invisible. It wound back and forth on itself instead of a typical curving pattern. The branches gently brushed my face on every step forward. The animals and birds stayed motionless, not skittering away as usual. It seemed like they were watching my every move. Sitting on a bolder to pray yielded the usual results of clarity. Exiting the forest into the beautiful scene of sun-drenched corn tassels reminded me of the day months before when I watched the farmer plant the seeds. In the quiet times with God, we recognize lessons that surface each time. We understand that faith yields even more if we persevere in life’s complex challenges with patient endurance.
The Sower by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary time Reflections
Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture*
The Parable of the Sower
4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
The Purpose of the Parables
9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that ‘looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.’
The Parable of the Sower Explained
11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 8:4-15 Reflection – patient endurance.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 8 Bible passage.
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