Parable of the Sower

"On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: 'A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.'"

The explanation of this passage continues in today's reading:

"Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

Which example do you fall on? I know people that love the Word of God initially but as they grow older, they leave the Church because it is not convenient; God gives them free will. This is for those on the rocky ground. Then there are those that lose the faith because of persecution even though our fathers in faith would die for their faith like the first 32 popes. But, after all, they could always come back to the faith like the Prodigal Son.

Yet, much sadder, is the fact that the seed of God's word still falls on the paths where people see the word of God but don't love it. These people don't pray as much as they could, they leave "Catholicism" as an ideal to be brought up for an hour on Sunday instead of a lifelong commitment. These people just don't grow in love. And this is the greatest sadness: seeing one soul losing salvation. The entire reason I put this blog together was to do just that: save at least one soul. And I thank my fellow members and all of those that read this blog for your participation here. May the Lord's peace be with you, but let us not just know of God but truly know Him through prayer. Let us pray; it's that simple. And let us spread the word of God's love through our words, actions, and example.

Let us conclude with reading this post by thanking God for the love He has shown us. Let us pray. Pater Noster...