Sunday, April 6, 2014 - The Parable Preparation of the Sower Field
Sirach 6:14-37
You’ve probably noticed that the previous Sundays in Lent featured meditations on the Parable of the Sower, as represented in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. Today we continue digging (yes, pun intended) into the parable by looking at this passage from Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus, or The Wisdom of Sirach, or The Wisdom of Jesus [different Jesus], Son of Sirach, which you can find in Bibles containing the Apocrypha (I’ve included it below, as well). It was probably written in the second century BCE.
The Parable of the Sower, along with so many other important Christian writings (especially in Paul’s letters, Augustine, the Reformers, etc. etc. etc.), point to the importance of faith, and how it is an unmerited gift from God. The great question for us and for people from every age has concerned how exactly we are to respond in a faithful way to God. What is the right way to live - as part of a worshipping community, in our families, in our cities, in the world? In other words, what does God-given faith look like when embodied?
The Parable of the Sower presents God as the planter, and the seeds as the word of God planted in us. Today’s reading, I think, can help give us some insights into how we can be good soil in which the word of God can grow.
By reading closely we can see that the passage's various proverbs seem to be grouped together. The first section (6:14-17) praises good friends. Good friends can make a big difference in one’s life. Beyond simple socializing, they can be a source of comfort, help, and guidance. Several years ago I was fortunate to attend church with some close friends who had a profound impact on my spiritual life. After church, and on many other occasions, we would gather at the Huether Hotel’s Cafe 1842 for coffee and breakfast. These gatherings were an important part of my Sunday experience.
Discipline is also identified in today’s passage (6:18-22), and note the agricultural imagery (6:19). Discipline gets short shrift these days. Our consumerist society is based on consumption and accumulation. When I was a small kid I had a very bad temper. My brother is ten years older than me, but I’ll tell you, even as a youngster I could make short work of him! This led my parents to enroll me in Karate classes. Through the exercising, careful practicing of the various movements, sparring (actual fighting made me fall out of love with violence!), and learning to persevere through pain, my temper dissolved. Self-control may not seem achievable or fun to someone on the outside, but discipline can yield great rewards to the practitioner. This is something that Thomas Merton learned upon entering the Abbey of Gethsemani, which he described in The Seven Storey Mountain as “the four walls of my new freedom.”
Today’s reading then goes on to examine knowledge in a few of its different forms (6:32-36).
First there is cleverness. What might this be? Perhaps the ability to apply knowledge and experience to diverse situations. Creativity. Knowing how to work within, or playfully with, the rules.
Then there is the necessity of learning and listening. To whom or to what? The reading suggests wise teachers. Where might you find good ones? Schools of course. Among our friends. At church. (Do you sit down with your priest or pastor for advice, or to further meditate on the week’s scriptures?) We are fortunate in Kitchener-Waterloo to have a plethora of public lectures and workshops. The Renison Institute of Ministry offers wonderful programs throughout the year.
Another great source of knowledge can be the charismatic and well-informed sales person or entrepreneur at, for instance, the local record shop (my background, sorry), bakery, or hardware store (or whatever store you frequent) who loves what they do and is excited to pass on their suggestions. That is a great way of turning these business transactions into deeper relationships. These folks probably enjoy talking about their craft much more than ringing through sales or sweeping the floor, trust me.
Another great source of knowledge can be the charismatic and well-informed sales person or entrepreneur at, for instance, the local record shop (my background, sorry), bakery, or hardware store (or whatever store you frequent) who loves what they do and is excited to pass on their suggestions. That is a great way of turning these business transactions into deeper relationships. These folks probably enjoy talking about their craft much more than ringing through sales or sweeping the floor, trust me.
Lastly, the passage encourages the reader to “let no wise proverb escape you” (6:35). I don’t think we need to limit this to reading Sirach, or Hebrew wisdom literature, or whatever. I think we can interpret this as a call to engage with the great wisdom traditions of the world. There is so much out there, beyond angry partisan news commentary and young adult vampire novels. Think of all the amazing material that is often at our fingertips, at the library, online, or in a town's downtown core: sacred scripture, philosophy, literature, cinema, culture.
The reading concludes with the reassurance that it is God who is the sower. “It is he who will give insight to your mind” (6:37). God is the giver of the word, faith, wisdom. We are the field, and our task is to receive, and to let the seeds grow. I pray that your Lenten journey is helpful in the cultivation.
-Matthew Kieswetter
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14 Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:
whoever finds one has found a treasure.
15 Faithful friends are beyond price;
no amount can balance their worth.
16 Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;
and those who fear the Lord will find them.
17 Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,
for as they are, so are their neighbours also.
whoever finds one has found a treasure.
15 Faithful friends are beyond price;
no amount can balance their worth.
16 Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;
and those who fear the Lord will find them.
17 Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,
for as they are, so are their neighbours also.
My child, from your youth choose discipline,
and when you have gray hair you will still find wisdom.
19 Come to her like one who plows and sows,
and wait for her good harvest.
For when you cultivate her you will toil but little,
and soon you will eat of her produce.
20 She seems very harsh to the undisciplined;
fools cannot remain with her.
21 She will be like a heavy stone to test them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22 For wisdom is like her name;
she is not readily perceived by many.
and when you have gray hair you will still find wisdom.
19 Come to her like one who plows and sows,
and wait for her good harvest.
For when you cultivate her you will toil but little,
and soon you will eat of her produce.
20 She seems very harsh to the undisciplined;
fools cannot remain with her.
21 She will be like a heavy stone to test them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22 For wisdom is like her name;
she is not readily perceived by many.
23 Listen, my child, and accept my judgment;
do not reject my counsel.
24 Put your feet into her fetters,
and your neck into her collar.
25 Bend your shoulders and carry her,
and do not fret under her bonds.
26 Come to her with all your soul,
and keep her ways with all your might.
27 Search out and seek, and she will become known to you;
and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28 For at last you will find the rest she gives,
and she will be changed into joy for you.
29 Then her fetters will become for you a strong defense,
and her collar a glorious robe.
30 Her yoke[c] is a golden ornament,
and her bonds a purple cord.
31 You will wear her like a glorious robe,
and put her on like a splendid crown.
do not reject my counsel.
24 Put your feet into her fetters,
and your neck into her collar.
25 Bend your shoulders and carry her,
and do not fret under her bonds.
26 Come to her with all your soul,
and keep her ways with all your might.
27 Search out and seek, and she will become known to you;
and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28 For at last you will find the rest she gives,
and she will be changed into joy for you.
29 Then her fetters will become for you a strong defense,
and her collar a glorious robe.
30 Her yoke[c] is a golden ornament,
and her bonds a purple cord.
31 You will wear her like a glorious robe,
and put her on like a splendid crown.
32 If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined,
and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
33 If you love to listen you will gain knowledge,
and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34 Stand in the company of the elders.
Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse,
and let no wise proverbs escape you.
36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him;
let your foot wear out his doorstep.
37 Reflect on the statutes of the Lord,
and meditate at all times on his commandments.
It is he who will give insight to your mind,
and your desire for wisdom will be granted.
and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
33 If you love to listen you will gain knowledge,
and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34 Stand in the company of the elders.
Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35 Be ready to listen to every godly discourse,
and let no wise proverbs escape you.
36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him;
let your foot wear out his doorstep.
37 Reflect on the statutes of the Lord,
and meditate at all times on his commandments.
It is he who will give insight to your mind,
and your desire for wisdom will be granted.
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