So, what does this all have to do with the liturgy?
As we read in Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC) it is the desire that when we, the faithful, the People of God, the assembly, attend a liturgical celebration, our participation is full, conscious and active, and “this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit” (SC n.14). We turn up because of God’s desire for us. Our faith only needs to start the size of a seed. However, we need to consider what the soil is like in which we are growing the seed?
Reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the four ‘soils’ we are told about are hard ground, rocky ground, thorny ground and rich soil.
Many events in life may impact how we turn up to liturgy and what state our soil might be in, God knows that. For example, if faith is planted in hard ground the seed is likely to be eaten up by birds and no longer exist. Sin can create this hard ground. The word of God’s kingdom can then make no sense, the heart is not open to understanding and no impression is left by the Word. If faith is planted in rocky ground, there is some soil to begin the germination, some active participation with the Word, but without the depth of soil and roots to assist in its growth it too will wither and die when times get tough. Thorny ground allows the seed to grow up until a point, but the seed is always competing with weeds for what soil there is. Ultimately, thorns eventually choke other plants. There are many pushes and pulls competing for this planted seed. The Word is replaced with other things of the world, the heart is torn, and faith struggles to get a hold.
Fortunately, there is rich soil. Rich soil provides all that the seed needs to grow and develop, and it produces much fruit. This fruit is a result of full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy. Hearing, understanding and receiving the Word. God desires us. Liturgy gives us a way to show that we desire God. It is a grace that helps us draw near to God and be planted in the depths of the Kingdom.
Pictured below:
My photo taken of the mustard seeds that Jesus is referring to in the Gospel. Much smaller than we are used to which makes the parable even more powerful.
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