“IN HIS OWN GOOD TIME” ... FOR HE IS LORD

What farmer in his right senses would waste seeds by sowing on the rocks, spreading seeds amongst the thorns or throwing them by the wayside ... maybe  to feed the birds? He would be an irresponsible person, to say the least. Yet, we find these words recorded by Saint Mark in the Gospel, words spoken by Jesus Christ.  So, there MUST be a reason.

There are two sides in every coin. Let’s take the first side or face and ask a simple question. Whom does the ‘sower’ represent? Most Bible Commentators say that the ‘sower’ represents Christ. Let us accept this suggestion. So that means that the seed, which represents  ‘The Word of God’, is not only sown on good soil but sometimes even amongst the thorns, along the wayside or on the rocks. In other words, in places and conditions not normally fit for the seed to grow.

But these words were spoken by Jesus. So what He must have had in mind is that  ‘The Word of God’, can, and should be sown, spread, in every imagineable place, not only in churches or in prayer groups, within the precincts of the church. The seed should not be limited to good soil only. I believe that the thorns, the rocks, the wayside mentioned, is a clear reference to the streets, to lazy corners, in bars, in favelas and restaurants and ... on every social ocassion.

That is just what Father John Bosco (now Saint) did with the abandoned children in the streets of Turin. So did Padre Orione (now Blessed) in the lazy corners of Naples, and Fra Antonio (now St.Anthony) with unbelievers, atheists and userers in Padova. He sowed the seeds amongst the thorns, and fruit did come out. For more examples one can consult any book on the ‘Lives of Saints’ and Missionaries’ work, the world over. It was not an easy task for Francis of Assisi sowing ‘seeds’ amongst the Moslem heathens.

St.Paul was convinced that he, himself, was only the ‘sower’ just like Francis of Assisi, Anthony of Padova, Don Orione and so many others, but once the seed was sown, the rest was in the hands of the Lord. It is a fact that some ‘seeds’ were eaten by the birds, others were dried up by the sun for lack of soil to take root, and some were choked among the thorns. BUT, other accepted the grace and increased, and gave abundant fruit.

And this is the other side of the coin. Any Christian can be the sower? Yes, every priest, every teacher or preacher of the ‘Word of God’ is a sower of the truth. We have to be bold enough to sow the seed in every possible way; by setting a good example, by being a true witness to Jesus, in our actions, the way we speak, by making the sign of the Cross when in the public.

We have to be bold enough to use every social ocassion; whether it be amongst the thorns, on the rocks or on the wayside. If you are good ‘sower’, use every possible way and means in every imaginable situation; in clubs, in soccer grounds, on hikes, at the office, in the factory, at the market, during social meetings, parties, wine bars, restaurants, even on the beach. It does not necessarily mean speaking over a PA system with a loud speaker.

Having tried and done your very best, as a good ‘sower’ should, let God do the rest, HE is in no hurry, as it is written, “IN HIS OWN GOOD TIME.”