The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 10A), July 13, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 55:1-5, 10-13; Psalm 65 or 65:9-14; Rom. 8:9-17; Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23
RCL: Gen. 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112; or Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-14; Rom. 8:1-11, Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23
The parable of the sower is much loved by evangelists. They read the story as an allegory for the church “investing” time and resources to get new members. On this reading, a church develops evangelism programs, and as a result of hard work, the church reaps a harvest of new souls for Christ.
Many Episcopalians may not be happy with this interpretation. While we may once have believed we were planting seeds for our church to grow, years have passed and growth hasn’t occurred. Like Isaiah, we may find ourselves asking, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”
If we have been disappointed in our efforts to promote church growth, maybe we would be better off to read the parable in personal terms. We could look, for example, for ways to make our souls into places where the Holy Spirit can grow. We can adopt new methods of prayer that can open us up to God’s word. Or we can rededicate ourselves to ways of praying that worked well for us in the past.
We also might limit the time we waste in activities that could never be considered “productive,” loosening our attachments to purely secular concerns (Rom. 8:2) that block the redeeming grace of God. Instead of doing what we want to do and hearing what we want to hear, we can nurture the seed of the Spirit within us. We will feel better about ourselves. We will feel we are moving toward becoming the persons God wants us to be.
At the same time we are granted the personal harvest of feeling closer to God, we may find that individual renewal has made us better evangelists. More confident and knowledgeable, we can be used by God to inspire others.
We who are Episcopalians might even venture a more hopeful reading of the passage. We might see it as guidance for our church’s mission in God’s time. Our evangelical failures don’t look so bad if we recognize that some of us in the church may sow a seed that, as Paul said, another may water. And, after all, it is the ultimate harvest of the Spirit, rather than increase in our parish’s membership rolls, that we should be praying for.
Look It Up
In 1 Corinthians, St. Paul notes that one evangelist may “plant” and another may “water,” but in the end neither can take credit, for it is God who gives the “harvest.” (1 Cor. 3:7)
Think About It
Am I wasting my time sowing my energies on ground where there will never be a harvest?
Next Sunday
The 10th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 11A), July 20, 2008
BCP: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19, Psalm 86 or 86:11-17; Rom. 8:18-25; Matt. 13:24-30,
36-43
RCL: Gen. 28:10-19a and Psalm139: 1-11, 22-23; orWisdom12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah
44:6-8 and Psalm 86:11-17; Rom. 8:12-15; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43
