Saturday 24th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke 8-:4-15

Spreading the Word

Fruits of the Harvest, Jerusalem

I know what you’re going to say!  Yeah, yeah, the sower and the seed, rocky ground, weeds, thorns, trodden path and good soil.  I’ve heard this plenty of times before; and besides, Jesus explains the entire parable in today’s Gospel!  Same old, same old!  What kind of ground am I?  What prevents me from hearing the Word?  What do I have to do to be more receptive to the Word?

OK, then, let’s take a different perspective!  Picture yourself as the Sower!  Wait, what?  Yes, picture yourself as the Sower.  You are the one spreading the Word!  No, no, that’s not right; that can’t be right.  God is the Sower. 

But aren’t we all Christians?  Aren’t we all meant to live a Christ-like life?  Aren’t we all disciples? Of course!  And as disciples we are all called to spread the Word, by our words and our actions, day in and day out!  Does that mean everyone will get it?  Of course not!  Just as in the parable, some people will be stubborn and refuse to listen.  Some people will be tempted away from the Word by the devil.  And some will be so caught up in the world that they lose interest and stray.  Will that make things difficult?  Yes, but remember that for some people the Word will germinate and grow and blossom.  And they will bear fruit!

So the message today?  How will you spread the Word today?  How much of an effort will you make?  And, in the process, don’t be discouraged; your efforts will bear fruit!  Be a disciple today!  Spread the Word!

 

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