The Good Soil

15th Sunday in the Ordinary Time – (A)
Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9

Our gospel for today tells us that good soil is the secret of a bountiful harvest. Even if the seeds are exceptionally good, a good harvest is doubtful if the soil where the seeds are planted is rocky, thorny or dry.

Our Christian values, faith, and goodness are the “good seeds” that God planted in us. We are basically good and talented. Unfortunately to some of us, these potentially powerful “seeds of faith, love, goodness, and intelligence” planted in our hearts, will never have a chance of good harvest for the lack of good soil to grow.

An honest child is influenced by his honest parents. Well-motivated members are inspired by their very supportive leader. Good priests and religious are products of good formation program and good community life. Hardworking students are inspired by their good teachers. Good soil produces good fruits. Bad soil produces bad fruits. Good soil then is crucial for one’s maturity, character and spiritual growth. Who you are now is the product of your own family and community influence.

Therefore, the challenge is how to create “good soil” in our family and community so as to foster the growth of the good seeds in us. We need the following positive basic fertilizers to produce good and fertile soil:

1. Positive Meaning
2. Positive Environment
3. Positive Relationship
4. Positive Communication
5. Positive Stories

Do I consciously provide these fertilizers in my family or community life? It reminds me of this article written by an unknown author:

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to be guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to love the world.
If a children lives with love of God, they learn to be human and discover their happiness.

Values and character are caught and not just learned. Let’s stop blaming the government and the poor for the proliferation of street children and the increase of youth violence and crime. We need to be more pro-active and stop criticizing. What can we do to help them? We need to do something, like assisting poor students in their education.

Good seeds are already planted in ourselves, in our children, students, friends, and members. Let’s not waste them. Let’s start providing good soil in our family and community. This is one of our Christian duties that God expects us to do. And God wants us to do it well, for the future harvest depends on us.

Good ground matters a lot. For The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.


- Willy M. Samson,SJ