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Recently the Sunday Gospel reading was the Parable of the Sower. This Parable is found in Mark, Matthew, and Luke. We read the version in Matthew’s Gospel.

To appreciate what Jesus is saying in this parable it helps to know the context. According to Matthew, Jesus has chosen the 12 disciples and sent them out on a Mission to spread the good news of the kingdom of God. They had a positive experience. However, the warm welcome they received has now begun to chill and Jesus has chosen to conduct his teaching sessions out in the countryside. Thus, he ends up sitting in a boat one day teaching a crowd who are on the beach. As he looks at the crowd and his disciples, he decides to tells them the parable of the Sower. Why?

One suggested reason is that Jesus wanted to encourage his close followers. He acknowledges that people respond to the message of the kingdom in different ways. This can be discouraging to the messenger. However, the task of the messenger is to patiently persevere, praying that God’s word will be received and understood by some who will then influence their environment as they live the good news day by day. Let us not lose heart but continue prayerfully to share God’s message of love for all people.  

Bible Reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.