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 The second  class  have  a good  will  and  are  religious-minded  people, but they  are  shallow  and  weak  in  character. They receive  the  word of God  eagerly,  but  their  faith  does  not  penetrate  to  the  depths  of their  heart  and  will,  and  lacks  firmness  and  steadfastness. Therefore they fall  away  as  soon  as  trials  and  persecution  put  their  faith  to  the test. Remember the  Israelites  in  the  desert!

The third  class  are  those  who  have  faith  and  hold  fast  to  it,  but who do  not  live  up  to  it,  being  quite  absorbed  in  the  things  of  this world. They give  themselves  up  to  the  concupiscence  of  the  eyes,  the concupiscence of  the  flesh,  and  the  pride  of  life,  and  bring  forth  no fruits  worthy  of  faith. They have  faith,  but  it  is  dead.

The three  principal  enemies  of  faith  and  the  life  of  faith  are,  therefore: i.  the  devil  and  his  allies,  who  seek  to  deprive  men  of  the willingness to  believe,  2. weakness and  vacillation  of  heart  and  will, 3. the  three  evil  passions  which  govern  the  world.

The word  of  God  bears  fruit  in  those  only  who,  besides  accepting it willingly,  cherish  it  in  a heart  purified  by  faith,  and  patiently  and perseveringly live  up  to  their  faith.

Religion and  grace are,  therefore,  affairs,  not  of  reason,  but  chiefly of the  heart  and  will. A powerful understanding  is  not  necessary  or even  sufficient  for  salvation,  or  to  enable  us  to  lead  a life  according to faith. What is  indispensable  is  a good  heart,  willing  to  receive  what is great  and  supernatural.

You see  by  this  parable  how  necessary  it  is that  your  heart  should  be  well  prepared  for  receiving  the  word  of God. Have you  always  had  a desire  to  hear  God’s  word? Have you kept  what  you  have  heard  in  your  heart,  and  made  corresponding resolutions? Have you  thought  your  religious  instruction tedious? To which  of  the  four  classes  described  by  our  Lord do you  think  you  belong? Pray fervently  to  the  Holy  Ghost  before you hear  any  sermon,  and  listen  attentively  to  it,  with  the  resolve to take  to  heart  and  carry  out  what  you  hear.

Jesus proposed  another  parable  to  them,  saying:  “The  kingdom of  heaven is  like  to  a man  that  sowed  good  seed  in  his field. But while  men  were  asleep,  his  enemy  came  and  sowed