God is Both Sower and Seed
The images of a seed and God’s word run through the readings this weekend. God is both Sower and the seed. He provides water and light and brings forth growth.
The prophet Isaiah compares God’s word to rain and snow, coming from God and achieving his purpose. St. Paul tells the Romans to endure present suffering, anticipating God’s glory and eternal redemption. In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the Sower, explaining that the seed represents those who hear the Gospel.
When you consider this Gospel reading you might try to identify yourself with one type of seed Jesus talks about: the seed that fell on the path, the seed that fell on rocky ground, the seed among thorns, or the seed in good soil.
But have you ever wondered why the Sower is throwing seeds so carelessly? This is worth considering.
The gospel is telling us just how generous God is. God is generously offering his grace and his mercy to everyone equally, in all places, at all times. But we aren’t all in a place where we are open to receive that gift. In those moments when we feel as though we’re not bearing the fruit then it’s time to examine our spiritual life and see if there is something we can change that will help us to be more receptive to God’s grace.
Maybe it’s as simple as joining a small group. The small group can help us change our spiritual soil so it is ready to receive God’s Word and bear abundant fruit.
Making the soil of our heart fertile, and helping the seed to grow into a bountiful harvest that allows God’s word to bear fruit, takes time and effort on our part. The Word of God must take root, grow, and be cultivated. But the long-term fruit is worth our patient effort.
As we contemplate this gospel parable and the image of a seed bursting into life, ask the Holy Spirit to help us be open to how God is working in us, providing us the grace we need to bear abundant fruit for Him and His kingdom.
Deacon Michael Braun