Good Soil

Anyone who dabbles in gardening learns sooner or later the need for good soil, in addition to sunlight and water to make plants grow and thrive, so much so, that compost piles and purchases of miracle grow bags of soil become part of everyman's garden.  We go all out to make sure our seedlings "get the best".
In today's parable of the Sower and the Seed, (Mt 13:18-32), Jesus speaks of the seed that fell on rocky ground, among thorns, and finally on good soil. Similarly, his Word falls on hearts that can't sustain it, or allow it to be choked by wordly preoccupations, and finally on hearts that allow it to yield thirty, sixty or a hundred fold.  Who wants to produce a mediocre crop?  Don't we all want to be the good soil and yield the highest?  How do we become that "good soil"?  By listening to others, being sensitive to them, by praying, reflecting in silence, soaking up God's presence, reading good spiritual books, helping our neighbor, participating in the sacraments and by allowing, as did Mary, God to have his way with us.  A generous YES to him, certainly provides rich soil.  May we not settle for rocks and thorns by saying "no".
Bro. Rene