In His parable of the sower, Jesus doesn't mention anything about the farmer except that he "went out sowing" (Mk 4:3). However, we can conclude the following about the sower from Jesus' parable:

• "God's word is living and effective" (Heb 4:12). The seed, that is, the word of God (Mk 4:14), grew regardless of the skill and holiness of the farmer. God's word is far greater than those who sow it.
• The only skill the farmer needed was to get out there in the field and put the seed out (see 2 Tm 4:2). Evangelists fail only when they keep the word to themselves.
• The farmer used the broadcast method of sowing, that is, he threw the seed everywhere. Likewise, we evangelists must spread God's word everywhere (see Mt 24:45). We must never filter out those people we think will not be receptive. Our efforts are never wasted, even if it seems so to us (see Is 49:4; 1 Cor 15:58).
• In Jesus' time, a good harvest was a seven to eight fold increase. A "thirty- and sixty- and a hundredfold" harvest (Mk 4:20) is miraculous. God's word does not return to Him void, but achieves His great purposes (Is 55:10-11).

What might look like barren ground to us who sow can be instantly changed by Jesus into good ground. So, sow!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004