THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

July 23, 2025 Wednesday within the 16th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 13:1–9 In the parable of the sower, Jesus draws our attention not merely to the soil, but to the astonishing resilience of the seed — the Word of God — that is scattered with hope, even in unlikely places. Though some of it falls on rocky paths, thorny ground, and shallow soil, the seed still carries within it the power to grow. This story reminds us that the Word of God is not fragile. It is dynamic, alive, and capable of surviving even in the hardest circumstances of our lives. Our hearts, like the varying soils, receive God’s Word differently — sometimes distracted by worry, sometimes hardened by pain, and sometimes shallow in faith. But even when life feels barren or overgrown with fear and stress, the seed is still working, still pushing to take root. We must never let the thorns of worry or the heat of trials make us believe we are barren. Growth often happens underground, in silence and struggle, where God is at work deep within us. Faithfulness is not about perfect soil, but about allowing the seed to remain and do its work. Ultimately, this parable is about hope — the hopeful persistence of God’s Word and the potential within us to bear fruit, even in difficulty. We grow when we stay, when we receive, and when we allow God to shape us through our challenges. Fruitfulness does not come from comfort, but from our willingness to be tilled, watered, and stretched by grace. So let us not focus too much on how broken we are, but on how generous the Sower is. Let the Word land, and let it live in you. Blessings Fr. Jhack