The Seed and the Good Ground
"Let us be most careful not to be ground by the side of the road or ground among the rocks or thorns, according to what the Lord says in the Gospel: 'The seed is the word of God' (Lk 8:11). That which 'fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on' (Lk 8:5) are those 'who have heard' (Lk 8:12) the word and do not understand. Then immediately 'the devil comes and carries away' what was sown in the heart, 'in case they should believe and be saved' (Lk 8:12). That which falls in rocky places are those who hear the word and immediately receive it with joy, but when some tribulation or persecution attends the cause of the word, they are left immediately scandalized (cf. Mt 13:21); these have no root in them; they are inconstant because they believe only for a while and in the hour of temptation fall away (cf. Lk 8:13). That which falls among thorns are those who hear the word, but the cares of this world and the seduction of wealth and other inordinate desires enter their souls and suffocate the word and it remains barren fruit (cf. Mk 4:19). 'As for the part in the rich soil, these are people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance' (Lk 8:5)." --St. Francis, Rule of 1221 (Chapter XXII
Works do not save us, but they are evidence that we have been saved and have received the Holy Spirit through Whom we bear fruit.
"Let us be most careful not to be ground by the side of the road or ground among the rocks or thorns, according to what the Lord says in the Gospel: 'The seed is the word of God' (Lk 8:11). That which 'fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on' (Lk 8:5) are those 'who have heard' (Lk 8:12) the word and do not understand. Then immediately 'the devil comes and carries away' what was sown in the heart, 'in case they should believe and be saved' (Lk 8:12). That which falls in rocky places are those who hear the word and immediately receive it with joy, but when some tribulation or persecution attends the cause of the word, they are left immediately scandalized (cf. Mt 13:21); these have no root in them; they are inconstant because they believe only for a while and in the hour of temptation fall away (cf. Lk 8:13). That which falls among thorns are those who hear the word, but the cares of this world and the seduction of wealth and other inordinate desires enter their souls and suffocate the word and it remains barren fruit (cf. Mk 4:19). 'As for the part in the rich soil, these are people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance' (Lk 8:5)." --St. Francis, Rule of 1221 (Chapter XXII
Works do not save us, but they are evidence that we have been saved and have received the Holy Spirit through Whom we bear fruit.
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