Daily Catholic Lectio. Sat, 20 September ‘25. Being Good Soil

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sat, 20 September ‘25

Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday

1 Timothy 6:13-16. Luke 8:4-15

Being Good Soil for the Word of God

1. Rooted in God’s Sovereignty

Scripture: Paul exhorts Timothy before “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim 6:15). Christ alone is immortal, dwelling in unapproachable light.

Reflection: To be good soil begins with deep roots in God’s sovereignty, acknowledging that He alone gives life and fruitfulness. Without Him, we wither.

Pastoral Application: Do I live my ministry rooted in God’s power, or in my own? Good soil humbly receives life from God and gives back in abundance.

2. Guarding the Word Against Distractions

Scripture: In the parable of the sower, seed is choked by thorns—cares, riches, and pleasures (Lk 8:14).

Reflection: Good soil is not merely about receiving the Word but guarding it from competing loves. The challenge is not lack of seed, but divided hearts.

Pastoral Application: What “thorns” in my life choke the Word—ambition, anxiety, comfort? To be fruitful, I must clear the soil daily by pruning distractions.

3. Bearing Fruit Through Perseverance

Scripture: Jesus says: “As for the seed in good soil…they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance” (Lk 8:15).

Reflection: Good soil is not instant productivity but steady perseverance. Fruitfulness comes with time, prayer, and endurance in trials.

Pastoral Application: Do I measure success by quick results, or by faithful endurance? The Gospel calls us to patience, trusting that God brings growth in His time.

Conclusion

Paul reminds us to keep our eyes on the eternal Sovereign, and Jesus calls us to be good soil for His Word. To be good soil is to stay rooted in God, guard His Word from distractions, and persevere in patience until fruit appears. The harvest is not ours but His—our task is to remain faithful and fruitful.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy