Sayings

Isn’t it interesting how biblical concepts can be taken out of context and whilst used within every day conversations miss the point. Take the phrase “Fall by the wayside.” According to the dictionary this saying infers “If someone falls by the wayside, they fail to finish an activity, and if something falls by the wayside, people stop doing it, making it, or using it.”

The actual context is found in the parable of the sower where Jesus says, “ And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.” Matthew 13:4

In Palestine the fields were in long narrow strips; and the ground between the strips was always a right of way. It was used as a common path; and therefore it was beaten as hard as a pavement by the feet of countless passers-by. That is what Jesus means by the wayside. If seed fell there, and some was bound to fall there in whatever way it was sown, there was no more chance of its penetrating into the earth than if it had fallen on the road.

One way of considering the implications of this parable to ask “What is the rocky ground in me? In what areas of my life does God's word have no chance? What are the thorns that choke the faith and hope in me? Do I nurture the faith of others? Am I a watering can for them, or a scorching sun? Where have I seen good soil, and plentiful harvest, in my life or in others around me?

Have you ever thought that each time we pray, the seed of God’s word and love are scattered. Each time we speak the kind word, do a kind deed, care for others in any way, the seed is bearing fruit. Our heart is the soil. Like a varied garden, the heart is many-sided. Our hurts, bitterness, sins weaken and destroy good soil. God is the one who purifies the heart so that the word of God takes effect.

Jesus knew that there would be many threats to his word, many situations in which it would not be fruitful. With him, may we pay attention to where there is life and growth.

Divine Sower, 

open our eyes and ears 

to the presence of Your Holy Spirit.

May the seeds of Your Word 

scattered among us this day

fall on fertile soil.

May they take root 

in our hearts and lives,

and produce an abundant harvest

of good words and deeds.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ,

our teacher and our Lord.

Amen.