A Sower Went Out to Sow

The following is a reflection from his holiness, Pope Leo XIV. This reflection is for today's Daily Gospel from Luke 8:4-15. 

A rather unusual sower goes out to sow…. He throws the seeds even where it is unlikely they will bear fruit: on the path, on the rocks, among the thorns…. The way in which this “wasteful” sower throws the seed is an image of the way God loves us…. God throws the seed of his Word on all kinds of soil, that is, in any situation of ours: at times we are more superficial and
distracted, at times we let ourselves get carried away by enthusiasm, sometimes we are burdened by life’s worries, but there are also times when we are willing and welcoming….

This is how he loves us: he does not wait for us to become the best soil, but he always generously gives us his word. Perhaps by seeing that he trusts us, the desire to be better soil will be kindled in us. This is hope, founded on the rock of God’s generosity and mercy….

Jesus is the Word, he is the Seed. And the seed, to bear fruit, must die. Thus, this parable tells us that God is ready to “waste away” for us and that Jesus is willing to die in order to transform our life…. Let us ask the Lord for the grace always to welcome this seed that is his Word. And if we realize we are not a fruitful soil, let us not be discouraged, but let us ask him to work on us more to make us become a better terrain.