The Prodigal Sower

The parable of the Sower is deeply familiar and as such can seem tame or exhausted of all new meaning and challenge. And yet when we come to this story in the midst of life when old and valued things seem to be failing or dying, when new seeds of hope look vulnerable, and we fear the harvest to come, we may benefit from looking again at images of the prodigally generous Sower and the abundant crop that may yet flourish. (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 10 [15] Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.)

Sentence:

“But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:23

Collect:

Gracious God of all seasons,

Bless us to receive and respond to your word

that we might grow in wisdom and grace

And that we might amplify your word

in a world hungry for bread and hope.

This we pray in the name of the Sower, the Seed and the Spirit that grows. Amen.

Reflections:

So, we come to this familiar parable and to seek to listen with ears that hear todays lesson – encouragement and challenge for our time and situation.

You may like to read what I wrote a few years ago about tending to the seed.

Tending the Seed

Parables are deceptively simple – that is they seem simple but they resonate and provoke at multiple levels if we let them. They tend to teach what we can receive at one time and one level and then teach more when we reflect and try and live with them. We have several over the next few weeks to work with.

You may like to read what I have previously written about working with parables.

Parables

A few weeks ago St Paul spoke of the internal battle between what he knew was right and the evil that he did not want to do but ended up doing! Some of us can identify with Esau and Jacob and the battle that goes on about who will get the birthright/recognition/ascendency! It is not only true of whole persons in conflict but ideas and intentions that are in competition – what will win? Surely the idea, the goal that we tend to, that we water and nourish, that we practice. Surely the seed that the good God sows with abandon and reckless generosity - including in places where it was never very likely to grow - but we are constantly being showered with creative ideas, gifts, opportunities. Life is not a small calorie counted meal but a smorgasbord of possibilities.

Let us pray that there are enough patches of good soil in us that some of the seeds of heaven take root in us and bear much fruit. That is, let us not give up on ourselves or our neighbours – just yet! Rather let us be awake to the seeds that the good God has scattered here there and everywhere. And let us tend the seed within us and around us.

Intercessions:

God of the sowing and reaping,

We give you thanks to for the abundance and variety in your creation

Help us to discern the plenty that you have provided

And to share your gifts with all.

We particularly pray for those creatures and persons who do not have enough of shelter, habitat, food, freedom …

And help us we pray to tend the seed of your creativity in our world.

God of the sowing and reaping,

Hear our prayer.

Jesus, gardener of our souls,

We thank you for your teachings and healing that restore us to the wholeness you desire for us and of us.

Help us to respond to your tending and nurturing and help us be tender with others.

We particularly pray for all who are wounded and who wound, and all who seek to work for peace and reconciliation in our families, churches, and communities.

We pray for the strengthening of leaders and those who serve in your name, all agencies of care and neighbourly work.

Jesus, gardener of our souls,

Hear our prayer.

Spirit that inspires and sustains us,

Breathe upon us, soak us in your warmth, cool us with your balm

That we may desire healing, growth and to dance our way into new ways of being your people in your world.

We particularly pray for those preparing to undertake great works of the soul, and those preparing to die, may you fill them with your eternal breath and draw them home into your embrace.

Spirit that inspires and sustains us,

Hear our prayer.

Living God,

Creator, Beloved and Spirit of love and life,

Call us further into the love out of which all was created until we are as wise as children. Amen.

This is my work informed by all that I have heard, read and experienced. I am indebted to the wisdom of others.