Dcn. Dan Farley
For centuries, Christians have practiced Lent, which was first referenced in the Canons of the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. If you’re new to the Christian faith within the Anglican Catholic tradition, you might be wondering how to make the most of Lent. On the other hand, those who have experienced many Lenten seasons may be curious about what makes this one unique. These are exactly the questions that are fitting for us to consider this morning. This is why the Church has designated these three Pre-Lent Sundays as a time to prepare for Lent. As we celebrate Sexagesima Sunday, our Gospel reading focuses on the theme of preparation. This well-known parable, found in all three Synoptic Gospels, is commonly known as “The Parable of the Sower,” although this title can be misleading since the sower is mentioned only once. The core of the parable is not about the sower or even the seed—representing the Word of God—but rather about the soil, which symbolizes how we receive the Word. The scenario is simple: a farmer is sowing seeds by hand in a field that has a path nearby. The parable has a clear structure: in verses 4-8, Jesus shares the parable; verse 9 serves as a transition where His disciples inquire about its meaning; and in verses 10-15, Jesus explains the interpretation.
It can be summarized in three parts: Here is the parable. What does it mean? Here is the explanation. Jesus explains that the seed represents the Word of God, which falls on four different types of soil. The first seed lands on a path, where it is trampled and consumed by birds. In His explanation, Jesus says that this represents those who let the devil snatch away the Word from them. The second seed falls on rocky ground, where it grows initially but withers due to a lack of moisture, symbolizing those who fall away during difficult times. The third seed falls among thorns and is choked, illustrating how life’s anxieties, pleasures, and riches can inhibit the Word from producing fruit. The only type of soil that can be considered “good ground” allows the seed to thrive, grow, and yield a hundredfold. In essence, the parable conveys a simple message: there are many ways to be poor soil, but only one way to be good soil. It might seem straightforward, except for the final verse – Luke 8:15. Pay attention to three qualities: “But that on the good ground are they, who have an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” This verse is crucial for grasping the entire parable and directly relates to our Lenten preparations. The “good ground” is the only one of the four that produces fruit, and it possesses three key characteristics. Firstly, the good soil symbolizes individuals with an honest and good heart. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, and for the next 40 days, we will recite the Collect for that day daily.
While one might expect this Collect to focus on a Lenten discipline, it actually emphasizes our need to “give us a new and contrite heart.” However, before a new heart can be granted, the old one must be torn away. This is why the Opening Sentence for Morning Prayer during Lent begins with “Rend your heart, and not your garments…”[iii] This phrase originates from Joel 2:13. It’s worth noting that when we pray from the Prayer Book, we are often engaging with Scripture. The full verse states: “Yet even now,” says the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”[iv] Rending one’s heart signifies a deep sorrow for one’s sins. During Lent, we are urged to return to God with a spirit of contrition—sorrow for our sins—and repentance, which involves turning away from those sins. Lent is a time for all wayward sons and daughters to declare, “I am done with the empty pursuits of this world! My father is gracious and merciful, overflowing with steadfast love. 2 I will come back in sorrow and repentance, and He will embrace me once more.” By tearing our hearts in this manner, we open ourselves to receiving a new one—one that is honest and good.
The second characteristic of those who embody the good soil is their ability to hear and uphold the Word. There’s no lack of literature and sermons focusing on obedience, and most Christians realize their responsibilities. Yet, we frequently fall short of our ideals. We can relate to the Apostle Paul in Romans 7: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” So, why aren’t we as committed as we aspire to be? As we contemplate how to observe Lent and the changes we wish to make, we should seek the grace for a steadfast intention to be fully obedient. We have established that the good soil symbolizes those who possess an honest and good heart and who hear and keep the Word. The third quality of good soil mentioned in verse 15 is that it “yields fruit with patience.” The term translated as “patience” here refers to steadfastness, consistency, and endurance, emphasizing fortitude, one of the four cardinal virtues. Without fortitude, we often abandon pursuits that are genuinely worthwhile. Many times, we quit on valuable endeavors simply because we don’t see quick results. In the parable, the good soil produces fruit with patience and fortitude. Saints have always understood this connection. This relates to today’s Epistle, where the Apostle to the Gentiles exemplified fortitude to bear fruit. Recall the list in 2 Corinthians 11, which details imprisonments, beatings, lashings, stoning’s, shipwrecks, and hunger.
In just one verse, the word “perils” is mentioned eight times. While our challenges may not involve life-threatening situations, our fortitude will still be tested. 3 By the second week of Lent, you might face distractions or setbacks. Even good soil doesn’t produce fruit instantly. Whatever approach you take during Lent, you’ll need fortitude. We now understand that good soil isn’t merely defined by the lack of destructive elements like birds, rocky ground, or thorns. Instead, good soil has qualities that bad soil does not. To become good soil ourselves, we must tear apart our old hearts through genuine remorse and repentance, allowing God to transform them into honest and good hearts. We need to cultivate a commitment to obedience so that we hear and follow His Word. Moreover, we must practice patience—strength and perseverance—to produce abundant fruit. Returning to our original question, how will you observe Lent this year? Will this Lent be different from previous ones? Traditionally, Christians give up certain things for Lent, like “meat and sweets.” While this can be beneficial, it’s important that each sacrifice genuinely reflects a desire for closer communion with God to avoid becoming pharisaical. When done with sincerity, each small act of self-denial can serve as a reminder of the deeper truth: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Ultimately, this is the core message, isn’t it? Lent isn’t just a temporary self-improvement exercise. Resisting temptations for 40 days only requires a minimal level of self-discipline. However, developing an honest and good heart, truly hearing and adhering to His Word, and bearing fruit in our lives demands His grace.