Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
The parable talks about how the sower goes out to spread the seed to different types of soils. But we often forget about the hand of the sower that spreads the seed. First Corinthians 12 tells us that we, Christians, are the body of Christ. Therefore, I would like for you to take a minute and reflect on who would be the hand of God (the sower) in this particular story.
You and I are called by Jesus himself in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) to go out and make disciples. The parable of the sower gives us a perspective of our role in spreading the seed (Good News of salvation). Notice that even though the parable narrates the ending of each soil when receiving the seed, the sower (God), using his hand (us), does not stop spreading the seed.
This parable reminds us, followers of Christ, that we are called to spread the seed. However, it is God through his Holy Spirit who prepares the soil. Some soils will receive the seed, but it will not flourish, for different reasons explained in the parable. But there will also be good soils that will be fruitful.
To take this parable to modern times, our first Moravian missionaries went out to different neighborhoods, communities, and countries to spread the Good News. They were not always welcome, but that did not discourage them. On the contrary, they continued somewhere else (Matthew 10:14).
Do not feel discouraged. On the contrary, rejoice for the ones who have received the seed. Let us continue working in serving our neighbor. Let the Holy Spirit do his part.
Angelica Regalado, pastor, Estamos Unidos Moravian Ministry,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina