Ordinary Time - Week 15a
The rocky ground and the thorns
(From Conversation with God, Fernandez Carvajal)Some seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil; but when the sun rose they were scorched, and since they had no root they withered away. This stony ground represents superficial souls with little inner depth, souls that are inconstant and incapable of persevering. They have good dispositions; they even receive grace with joy, but when the moment comes to confront difficulties they turn back. They are not capable of sacrificing themselves in order to fulfil the resolutions they have made so their resolutions die without bearing fruit.
Saint Teresa taught that there are some people who, having overcome the first enemies of the interior life, cease to make any effort; they lose heart, and give up the struggle when they are only a couple of steps away from the fountain of living water - the water concerning which Our Lord told the Samaritan woman that whoever drank of it would never thirst. We must ask Our Lord for constancy in our resolutions, and for a spirit of sacrifice so that we do not give up when faced with difficulties - as we surely will be. We have to begin time and again, with holy stubbornness, and we have to strive always to reach the sanctity that Jesus calls us to, and for the attainment of which He gives us all the graces we need. Saint John of the Cross taught that the soul that truly loves God never allows laziness to prevent it from doing everything in its power to find the Son of God, its beloved and after having done all it can, it is still not satisfied and considers he has done nothing.
Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. This is the one who hews the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches stifle it, and it proves unfruitful.
Love of riches, a disordered ambition to gain influence or power, and excessive concern for well-being and a comfortable way of life are like sharp thorns that prevent any union with God. The souls of people who seek only such things are souls immersed in material things, being wrapped in a deep-seated avarice that leads us to appreciate only what we can touch. Such eyes are firmly fixed on earthly things and consequently are blind to supernatural realities. It is as though they were blind to all that really matters.
If we allow our hearts to become attached to money, influence or praise; if we set our hearts on the ultimate comfort we see advertised; if we give in to our own whims and seek so many things that are quite unnecessary, we are allowing a serious obstacle to God's love to become embedded in our hearts. It is difficult for anyone obsessed by the thought of owning more and more possessions, and by the constant determination to seek out what is most comfortable, not to fall into other sins. In connection with such things, Saint John of the Cross comments: This is why Our Lord called them 'thorns' in the Gospel, so that we should understand that anyone who fondly caresses such things with his will, will be wounded by some sin.
Saint Paul teaches that anyone who puts his heart on earthly things, as though they were the absolute good, commits a type of idolatry. This disorder in the soul often leads to a lack of mortification and to sensuality, so that we give up looking at supernatural things. Those words of our Lord's are always fulfilled: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The seed of grace will be choked without any doubt in this bad soil.