The gospel for today is called ‘The Parable of the Sower.’ Some preachers and theologians like to call it ‘The ‘Parable of the Soils.’ It speaks not of the power of the seed or of the availability of the opportunity. It speaks of responses to the Good News Jesus had brought into our world. I invite you to meditate on these responses, recognize ourselves, our situation, and our possibilities.

The parable is not about opinions. For me, it’s about responses. What do you think God is calling us to do in the context of our ministry? What do you see, hear, and think as you reflect on this parable?

As I mentioned last week, we live in a high-pressured, fast-tempo world. Some people feel pressed for time and haunted by tasks to be done. Many have “two-job” lives in order to make the economic demands of their families or stay up with the social pressures of their circle. Even our children are pressed with such busy schedules because we have organized entertainment, sports, and other activities so as to fill every moment of their lives. Leisurely family meals in which conversation can take place is a thing of the past. It’s easy to ignore the silent signals of our starving souls that they must find nourishment. God’s ideas are easily swept away of our lives.

Jesus comes to say that the seed that finds good ground will reproduce itself in fruit over and over again. It’s the ground of one who “hears the word and understands it.” How does this come to us?

“But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”.” Matthew 13:23

 We hearken to God’s voice. We accept the promise. We embrace the decision. We begin the walk together.

Good ground! Good seed! Good news!