The Way of Beauty

THE CALLING OF THE FIRST APOSTLES

THEME: The three paths

FOCUS OF THE MEDITATION: Jesus has placed the grace-filled seed of his Gospel in our souls through the Word we have received, calling us to let it seep into the soil of our hearts so it may burst forth with the fruit of generous service. Let us consider our own personal gift, renewing our commitment to the Lord.

Ghirlandaio

Sistine Chapel

1481-1482

"Today's meditation offers us a different method. The fresco The Calling of the First Apostles illustrates the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, but our Scripture passage focuses us on the parable of the sower. The Scripture passage was intentionally selected, even though it does not accompany our art selection. Why? Because our spiritual guide, St. Ignatius, offers this meditation to challenge our commitment to Jesus Christ. We have already meditated on Jesus' call to public ministry. But how will we answer our call to witness the Gospel? Like the seed that is sown and falls on different soil, our hearts are the ground. So let's reflect on Jesus' call to us and our response to him."

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION

Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23

 "And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil.

But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away.

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  

Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  Let anyone with ears listen!”

“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.

 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

PRAYER AND REFLECTION

"Spend time looking at The Call of the First Apostles." Jesus is also calling you today. Listen to the Lord. How will you respond to his calling?"

The comments above are taken from Meditations on Vatican Art by Fr. Mark Haydu. To truly enter into this Visio Divina, I suggest purchasing the book as each masterpiece comes with a complete description, prayer and reflection, and spiritual exercise.