Prayer of the Week - Pentecost 9

Beloved Parishioners,

The Gospel Lesson for this upcoming Sunday is the famous parable of the Sower. Jesus is describing what it is like to spread the word of God:

"19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty" (Matthew 13).

It is striking to me that most of the seed is wasted and yields nothing--but the small amount that does land on good soil results in a rich harvest. It's a good lesson in just how difficult and yet fruitful evangelism is. The keys, apparently, are in the wide scattering and the ability to be satisfied with what happens on the good ground.

I think that we often focus too much on the bare patches of our lives rather than notice the verdant places. I think we would do well to follow our Lord's example, instead, and rejoice in the precious places of new life. We should expect most of our efforts to fail and a few to become something far beyond our wildest hopes. Who, looking at a single grain of wheat, could possibly imagine a Kansas field of golden wheat rippling like water in the wind? Our work, as Christians, is to toss our faith in God's kingdom alongside our path in the hope that some of seed will bear fruit.

Heavenly Father, your bountiful mercy provides us with the blessing of Truth revealed in your Word. Help us to spread that message of love broadly that a few precious pieces might land on fertile ground. Give us courage to be your messengers of hope to a troubled world. And finally, Lord, give us the insight to see the goodness that you bring to pass in this life, and in the life to come. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

-t