Saturday, September 17, 2011

Be the Sower

Today's Gospel (Luke 8: 4-15) is the parable of the sower, whose seed fell in different places. Some of it fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. If, as the Lord explains, the seed is the word of God and the soil represents various responses of people who hear the word, we normally try and find our place as one of the types of soil. But I was reflecting on the idea that we, all of us who are believers, are really called to be the sowers.
This parable then, in addition to being a road map on how to receive the word, is also a primer on what to expect as we spread the Good News. So often we wonder whether or not our example has an effect, whether or not the things we share about faith make a difference. We can sometimes get discouraged and think "why bother?" saying anything. But the important thing to remember is that we are never sure what type of "soil" we are  encountering. When dealing with human beings, what was once "rocky" and incapable of supporting life can suddenly become the perfect environment where the Word of God can flourish. This is the result of God's grace, who says that "I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)
What is necessary is that we simply go and sow the seed, speak God's word to others and encourage them to see the presence of God in their lives. While we cannot control what happens next, we are assured that some of it will fall on "good soil" and produce the hundredfold. But this can happen only if we go out and sow. Don't be discouraged, then. Get up and become a sower. After all, this is what it means to be a follower of Christ.

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