10/18/2026
Pastoral Letter – Section 1, Paragraph 4
This article is from the Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Hebda.
Only One Thing Is Necessary
How Catholic Families Can Strive To Be United in This Life and the Next
Pastoral Letter to the Families of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Section I
Our Urgent Challenge and the Narrow Path
4. During his Angelus address on July 12, 2020, Pope Francis explored the four “paths” that are before us. He identified the first path as the “path of distraction.” The “busy life” can, at first glance, appear productive and efficient. Here, the birds flock and chatter, but they also eat the seeds immediately: “Beset by lots of small talk, by many ideologies, by continuous opportunities for distraction inside and outside the home, we can lose our zest for silence, for reflection, for dialogue with the Lord, to the point that we risk losing our faith, not receiving the Word of God, as we are seeing everything, distracted by everything, by worldly things.” This insight leads us to ask: Where in our home life are moments and places of silence and reflection encouraged?
The second path was likened to that of rocky ground. To onlookers, this path might seem “put together,” well arranged, controlled. But despite its manicured facade, it lacks the depth of soil where roots can go deep: “This is the image,” Pope Francis said, “of those who receive the Word of God with momentary enthusiasm, which however, remains superficial; it does not assimilate the Word of God. In this way, at the first difficulty, such as a discomfort or disturbance in life, that still-feeble faith dissolves, as the seed that falls among the rocks withers.” That reflection leads us to ask: Where in our home life are we encouraged to settle in and go deeper into our minds and hearts, and ultimately, into prayer, so that we may withstand the disturbances that come our way?
The third path in the parable is strewn with bushes and thorns. Pope Francis taught that on this path the world’s attractions and affirmations take primacy of place. Amidst “the thorns are the deceit of wealth, of success, of worldly concerns…… There, the Word grows a little, but becomes choked, it is not strong, and it dies or does not bear fruit.” The late Holy Father’s reflection prompts us to ask: Where in our home life do we find ways to examine our consciences? To notice when and how we are motivated by the world and its allure?
Finally, we arrive at the fourth path, the good soil: “Here, and here alone does the seed take root and bear fruit. The seed fallen upon this fertile soil represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, safeguard it in their heart and put it into practice in everyday life.” At last, we have the path that we and our families must travel, a path that we must show the world. For, as John Paul II observed, “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”
