And he spoke to them at length in parables,saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Matthew 13:3-9
Rest is a difficult thing. Leisure has become rare. Recreation has been replaced. Busyness and hurry are the soil of our lives. No wonder spiritual fruit is scarce in our lives. Rich soil is soil that has been left unoccupied. Rich soil is soil that is radically available and set apart to receive particular care. The rich soil in our lives would be soil that is unoccupied by work, sports, tutors, or busyness. The rich soil in our families would be soil that is bored, disconnected from their phones, and not in front of the screen. The rich soil in my life would be time set apart to simply do nothing before the Lord and with the Lord.
How can I set aside time in my life to rest with myself, my friends, and my family?
Jesus, help me to rest, recreate and take leisure as you did.
Today's Reflection is by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did you know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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