Bearing Fruit

The Parable of the Sower descibes seed that falls in four levels:  the path, the rocky ground, the thorns, and finally rich soil.  It is this latter that bears fruit.  "But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones how, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance" (Lk 8:15).  The fruit does not come automatically; there must be an embracing of it with a generous heart, one willing to let go of anything that becomes and obstacle, and there must be perseverance.  Raising tomatoes or any vegetable, the grower knows this: we must contend with weeds, blight, insects, drought, and hail until the harvest.  So much more with our spiritual lives.  Great saints like St. Robert Bellarmine, whose memorial is celebrated today or an ordinary "one of us" whom I met yesterday preparing to leave for Medjugorje, who told me of his straying from active faith practice, his lukewarm return, and now with a generous heart his embracing of the opportunity to deepen his faith by this pilgirmage. St. Robert did not give up when opposition arose, neither did this man, but over the stretch of their lives a level of spiritual maturity developed, ripened, and brought forth fruit that will last. Where are we? What can we do to further embrace with generous hearts the seed that God has planted in our "rich soil."?
Bro. Rene