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Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Gospel:
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Letting It Grow
Highlighted
Verses: Matthew
13:1-9, 18-23
That
same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2Such
great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there,
while
the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And he told them many
things in
parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as
he
sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.
5Other
seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they
sprang
up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6But when the
sun rose,
they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other
seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other
seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold,
some
sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!”
“Hear
then the parable of the sower. 19When
anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the
evil one
comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was
sown on the
path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the
one who
hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet
such a
person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or
persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately
falls away. 22As
for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but
the
cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields
nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is
the one
who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and
yields, in
one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
(NOTE:
This week's children's sermon makes use of flower seeds and a clear cup
(or small jar) of dirt/potting soil.)
I like to plant things this time of year - especially flowers. So, if
you'll watch your feet, I'm going to plant a few right now. (Toss
several seeds on the floor around the children's feet.)
Great! Be careful not to step on them and when we come back next week I
think we'll have some big, beautiful flowers growing right here!
(Ideally the children will recognize the error in this method - leaving
seeds exposed on an indoor floor - and point it out. Depending on the
group's response, however, you may need to stop here to question them
about whether the seeds will actually grow - and why not.)
You may be right. You know different types of flowers grow best in
different places, but I'm not sure of any that just grow on the floor.
(Why? What is the floor lacking? e.g. nutrients, water, room for roots,
etc.)
How about this? (Bring out cup/jar of dirt.) What if we planted them
here instead?
Yes, I think this is a much better place. The dirt will protect the
seeds and give them all the right nutrients...and room to grow strong
roots.
In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us a parable. That's a story that helps
to teach us a lesson.
In this
parable he talks about planting seeds as a way to help us understand
the way to be closest to God.
He tells us that when people hear God's word but don't try to
understand it (or maybe just don't listen), that's almost the same as
planting a seed in a place that it will never grow.
What about people who really hear God's word and show that they
understand it? People
who live by God's rules - following the commandments and showing
kindness to one another? Can you guess what Jesus tells us
happens to those seeds?
You're right! Jesus tells us that those seeds have been planted in just the right soil
- and that they'll
grow and grow.
So today Jesus uses a story about seeds to help us remember to open our ears and
our hearts to God. Will you do that this week?
Good. Let's pray.
Dear God,
Help us to hear your word and understand your ways. Plant your seeds in
our hearts and let them grow and grow.
Amen.
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