Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 1-9) in which Jesus, again, teaches the people through parables (or stories) using subjects which were familiar to the listeners in this case a farmer sowing seed.

Fr Paul says at the heart of this parable is the generous sowing of the seed, representing the abundant proclamation of God’s word. However, the seed encounters various types of soil – the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil. This illustrates the different ways people respond to the Gospel message.

Some hear the word of God but do not understand it, allowing the evil one to snatch it away. Others receive it with joy but lack the spiritual depth to persevere when trials come. Still others are choked by worldly cares and the lure of riches.

Yet, the parable also reveals that there is good soil – those who hear, understand, and bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom. This is a message of hope, for even amidst the many obstacles, the word of God finds fertile ground in some hearts.

The Church is called to continue sowing the seed generously, trusting in the power of God’s word and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Though rejection and indifference may discourage us, we must persevere, for the good soil exists, and a bountiful harvest awaits.

Fr Paul says this parable invites us to examine the condition of our own hearts – are we the path, the rocky ground, or the thorns? Or are we the good soil, receiving the word with joy and allowing it to take deep root, bearing fruit for the Kingdom? May we be that fertile ground, so that the seed of God’s word may flourish and transform our lives and the world around us.