The Parable of the Sower

The Gospel reading this Sunday features “The Parable of the Sower.”  In recent years, an elderly priest advised that all Parish Priests should read this parable frequently.  I am sure that he was speaking from much experience of knowing that not all the seeds that have been scattered will bear fruit.  That is not a reason not to persevere.

In fact this is a parable for all of us who try to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, build up his Kingdom and follow in his ways.  We may indeed feel uncertain and even discouraged at times because so much of the seed we sow appears to go to waste.

Remember: Jesus himself did 

not have 100% success rate in his sowing of the Word!  He was despised, rejected and ridiculed by many.  Today there are 1.4 billion Catholics in the world and God’s Kingdom abides.

A recent UK survey claimed that there has been a resurgence of attendance at church in the different dominations in recent years, though this was later retracted.  Nevertheless, there are always signs of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church.  In Western Europe and the U.S.A., we do indeed live in challenging times, even times of contraction.

But the overall picture of the spreading of faith around the world continues to bring hope.  In Asia and Africa there is much expansion.  I often recall the words of the old liturgy: “From age to age you gather a people to yourself…” 

Besides, the People of God were sometimes referred to in the Old Testament as “The Remnant” and they kept faith despite oppression, persecution and reduction in numbers.  Today’s parable encourages us that there will always be some seed landing in rich soil and that the Kingdom of God will always spring forth.  

God bless, Fr Kevin.