The Parable of the Sower
A sower went out to sow (Mt 13:3). The parable that
Jesus Christ uses in Matthew 13 would certainly appeal to the people of His
day. They were farmers, workers of the land. They would know the
frustration of 75% wasted seed, and they would appreciate even just 25% good
fruit. As Catholic Christians living in the third millennium — despite
our modern professions and experience — the “Parable of the Sower” still has
power to speak to us today. If you are reading this, most likely you are
already “bearing fruit” in some way with your faith. However, the
temptation for all of us is to think that the bearing of fruit is
finished. It is easy for us to think of other people who fall into the
categories of the 75% bad fruit: the bad seed who got eaten up by birds
(atheists and infidels); or who sprang up immediately and then got scorched
(those who quit going to church when things got too tough); or those who got
smothered by thorns (people who allowed material wealth to replace their
faith).
Just because we have already produced good fruit does not mean
we are finished. We are still susceptible to the other 75% of
seed. Satan, the bird who eats the seed of the Word of God that fell on
the path, still wants to rob us of God’s grace. Our flesh, still wanting
to be comfortable, can prevent us from being rooted in God (and if we allow our
lower passions to rule our lives, we will get scorched). The
world, the thorns of riches and earthly power, still wants to smother what God
began at baptism. The dangers of the 75% of seed are still applicable to
us. So, what is the good news of this Gospel? What should our
response be?
Firstly, please have patience with your sower, that is, with
your priest. We are only cooperators with the true Sower — God
Himself. Pray for us that we may be faithful to the Lord, faithful to our
priestly promises/vows, and faithful to the teachings of Holy Mother
Church. Secondly, have patience with yourselves and do not give up even
if you have failed to bear good fruit. God wants to take you
affectionately, prune you, and help you to grow (see John 15:1-17).
(Making a thorough examination of conscience and a good confession are the
first steps to getting “pruned” so that you can continue to bear good
fruit.) Thirdly, be open to growth and resolve at each Mass to be open to
Christ’s nourishment in the Most Holy Eucharist. The Body and Blood of
Jesus Christ our Lord give us the nutrients we need to bear good fruit!
Through your openness to growth and through your reception of God’s sanctifying
grace through the Most Blessed Sacrament, you will be able to bear thirty,
maybe sixty, maybe a hundredfold for the Lord.
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