Pentecost+7/Proper 10A (Matthew 13:1-9,18-23)

I have no intention to check if you have a good memory but do you remember the yoke talk of Jesus from last Sunday in which Jesus invites, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” (Matthew 11:29)? This symbol of a yoke continues to help us reflect on the gospel lesson this morning. So consider my reflection on today’s lesson as the yoke part 2, and I would like to remind you of what Jesus’ yoke is for. 

So, here’s what I wrote last Sunday: “That [the aim of Jesus’ yoke] is the kingdom of God in a traditional term or the presence of God within you. The yoke is to cut a long soil slice of falsely perceived inner isolation and loneliness and turn it upside down. It is to bury the surface residue of what’s so dry and lost, conserving moisture of sacred connection with the Spirit, aerating or breathing the soil of our soul, and killing weeds of death in us.” 

Now, let’s reflect on the parable this morning. I would like our interpretation of the parable to be done internally and inwardly, from within, not without. This is to apply it to ourselves rather than categorizing externally and outwardly which type of person falls into the seed sown in the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, or on good soil. What matters more is to realize that there are parts of our hearts that are like the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soils, depending on various situations and contexts. This is the reason why we need the yoke to plow the fields of our hearts. 

We know which yoke to use at this point. We also know it’s crucial by whom and how it will be guided and driven as it is the farmer who assists a yoked cow. It’s the Holy Spirit. The farmer who drives the yoke is the Breath of God, and the yoke we’re using is our breath. The more we become skillful at paying attention to our breath, the more we become attentive to the guidance of the Spirit. 

That said, for what’s sown on the path, the yoke can stir up the path so it’s filled with good soil that no one trespasses. Do not let thoughts or feelings trespass on you or consume you. Don’t make them too easy to rule over. Don’t take thoughts and feelings as they are but question them. Don’t let them disturb you but rather, cultivate your field of mind by paying attention to your breath. If thoughts or feelings are upsetting you, block them with deep, long, and calm breathing. If they’re hazy like idle chatters, breath in a way that energizes you. 

Sort out all the rocks if there are. No more ignorance or negligence of what’s surrounding you. If we want a child to read, the best way is not to give a book to read but take the child to a library, showing how others have fun reading and providing an environment of reading. It’s important to examine who’s around you and what to expect from those around you to discern what to learn or not. 

Pluck out thorns. Rage, resentment, and repression are like spiritual thorns. Rage doesn’t help one to see the reality but creates a picture of victimhood. Resentment doesn’t lead one to reconciliation but becomes a tangled knot that continues to hurt oneself. Repression blinds one to recognizing and admitting that there’s an unhealthy desire. In turn, it takes away an opportunity to say No to that desire. It creates a path to repeat one’s unhealthy behavior over and over. 
The parable of Jesus this morning lays out what to look out for in our spiritual life. We don’t just want to understand it intellectually but embody it so that we know exactly in which situation and context the fields of the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil manifest. This is a challenging spiritual work yet a rewarding one because it will change who we become and how we live. 

Before you practice, it’s worthwhile to keep the words of Hildegard of Bingen: “Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip but also those who bend and fall. So sing! The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing.” 

Don’t forget that the sower was somewhat extravagant enough to plant the seeds EVERYWHERE just as God’s grace is always abundant, never lacking, never short.