The Sower
SS Alban & Stephen’s church hosted an exhibition of Sr Anne Reddington’s paintings last year. One favourite depicts a woman spreading seed, illustrating the New Testament story of The Sower.
A sower is hand spreading seeds, which land on a range of soils, including bare rock and across the hard- baked path, the weed strewn field margins as well as the fertile soil. The seeds germinate and grow differently, depending on the depth of soil and availability of water and nutrients.
The seed is the word of God, and its acceptance changes those who receive it. The parable is not meant to be taken further, but like plants in the ground, the recipients must change the world around them to make it a better place. Like plants, believers need to be nurtured in their faith, in order to grow and to be fruitful. Again, taking the plant analogy, some seeds are buried or take time to germinate, and even when they do, the plant may take years before it flowers and bears fruit; and so it is with the word of God. This may be heard, but only be realised after an incident, or many years later. God is patient and kind and timeless. The word of God must first be spread, which is the mission of all believers.
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