Word to the Wise
Saturday, September 19, 2015 - Saturday in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Tim 6:13-16 and Luke 8:4-15]"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance." [Luke]
I always find the parable of the sower and the seed to be one that speaks to my experience as an itinerant preacher and personally as well! I go from place to place like a kind of Johnny Appleseed preaching parish missions and retreats. I don't usually get to see the results of my efforts, but I am well aware that everyplace I go there will be examples of the kinds of folks that Jesus refers to. Scripture scholars tell us that this parable reflects the concerns of early Christian preachers about the diversity of reactions that they received. Why wasn't there a complete and successful response every time? At the end of the parable, Jesus repeats something that he says in other places. The committed Christian is one who hears the word, accepts it, and puts it into action.
On the personal level I can speak to points in my own life where all four examples in the parable occurred: seed on the path eaten by the birds, seed on rocky ground that withers, seed that falls among thorns, and seed that takes root and prospers.
It could be tempting to just concentrate on the seed that prospers, but we have to be concerned for all and do what we can to encourage them to "bear fruit through perseverance." Discouragement at lack of results is an enemy to the gospel. AMEN
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