Because of the explanation of the Parable of the Sower we tend to concentrate on what happened to the seed. How was the word received? What obstacles exist to keep the seed from flourishing? But the parable as it was delivered was about the sower, not the seed. Jesus suggests that the sower’s job is to spread the seed. What happens to the seed afterward is not up to him/her. Hence, our responsibility as “missionary disciples,” in Pope Francis’ phrase, is to spread seeds of love, compassion, forgiveness. We should not become discouraged when the gospel does not seem to be taking root among our family, friends, workplaces. God’s job is to give the growth, our job is to share what we have been given.
