Word to the Wise
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - Wednesday in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 1:1, 4-10 and Matt 13:1-9]"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprung up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withere for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold. Whoever has ears out to hear. [Matthew]
The evangelist Matthew wrote for Jewish Christian disciples who were experiencing many challenges, including rejection and persecution by their fellow Jews. But, in the absence of rejection and persecution, there was still the mystery of response to the preaching. Obviously they were experiencing mixed results. The parable in today's gospel scripture is meant to encourage in the face of a reality that can be very disappointing and lead to discouragement.
I am an avid amateur gardener whose efforts are not always crowned with success. The same planting and ingredients do not always lead to healthy and productive "crops." I have noticed on seed packets now a germination percentage figure and I can't help but wonder if Jesus' warning is similar to this! All kinds of elements go into preaching the gospel. The preacher may be less skilled; the audience can be as varied as there are individuals in it. The seed may be as good as possible but not every seed is going to meet expectations, as the parable points out. My friends say I have a "green thumb," but the shade of green of my thumb is as varied as the green of my plants! The important thing for the missionary is to keep planting and do the best he or she can do.
A wise old Dominican missionary who worked in an area where Catholics were few once said to me (when I asked him how he could keep going under such conditions): "You're only going to do a limited amount of good. The important thing is to do that limited amount." Meager results may occur from time to time, but the sowing must be done or there will be no crops at all!!! AMEN