A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Luke (Lk 8: 5-15).
“At that time Jesus said: A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.
Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.
But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold. When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"
And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.”
Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, I wish peace and good to all of you!
On this 21st Sunday after Pentecost, we have heard two very significant readings: the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Galatians (Gal 2:16-20) and the Parable of the Sower.
In his Letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul expresses some key points of his theology, concerning the concept of justification, the law and life in Christ. Here is an explanation of the main messages that Paul wants to convey in these verses:
1. Justification by faith in Christ (v. 16): Paul affirms that man cannot be justified (that is, considered righteous or just before God) through the observance of religious laws, but rather through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a central theme in Paul’s theology: salvation is not earned by works but is a gift of God obtained through faith in Christ.
2. Faith does not promote sin (v. 17): Paul addresses the argument that, if justification were based on faith, then it might seem that Christ favors sin. He rejects this idea, stating that faith in Christ does not mean promoting sin but rather recognizing the need for divine grace and the ability to be justified despite our sins.
3. Do not return to the law (v. 18): Paul warns against the attempt to "rebuild" what has been destroyed, that is, try to return to the strict observance of religious law after accepting justification by faith in Christ. This act of "rebuilding" would be a manifestation of transgression since one would refuse the gift of divine grace in favor of the works of the law.
4. Life in Christ (v. 20): Paul concludes these verses by speaking of his identification with Christ. He affirms that he was crucified with Christ, which means that his old nature is dead and that he now lives a new life in communion with Christ. His life was lived in faith in Jesus Christ, who loved him and sacrificed himself for him.
In general, these verses reflect the importance of faith in Christ as a means of justification and the rejection of the idea that the works of the law are the way to salvation. Paul argues that salvation is a gift of God, obtained through faith in Christ, and that this gift leads to a profound transformation in the life of the believer, allowing him to live in communion with Christ who is depicted in today’s Gospel as the Sower.
Beloved brethren, in today’s reading, we have heard the parable of the Sower, but what exactly does the word "parable" mean?
The term "parabola" comes from the Greek "parabolé," which literally means "comparison and similitude." Interestingly, in rabbinic tradition this figure is called "משל" (ma'al), which means "example" in a literal way.
A parable is a type of didactic tale that stands out from myths, allegories, and fables. It is a way of communicating that uses concrete examples and is based on the comparison between two situations: one that is familiar and one that is less known.
The Lord Jesus often used parables when teaching, especially when addressing ordinary people who, for various reasons, had not had the opportunity to receive advanced training. The goal was to explain complex concepts in a simple way, allowing people to understand them immediately. But there was also another purpose: to help listeners move from a familiar way of interpreting reality and words to a new perspective, often surprising and unusual.
The parables were, therefore, a powerful tool in Jesus' hands to teach important spiritual truths in an accessible and memorable way, involving listeners and prompting them to reflect more deeply on their faith and their relationship with God.
Dear brothers and sisters, the image of this Sunday’s icon depicts the good Sower as a symbol of the Son of God spreading the Word of the Father among the people. The parable focuses on the ground that receives and welcomes this Word, represented in four distinct ways: the road, the stone, the thorns, and the good earth.
1. The road:
The concept of the "road" in the parable of the Sower represents a type of listener or human heart that is not ready to welcome and nourish the Word of God. In this context, the seed of the Word of God is spread on this ground, but it does not find deep roots and is not internalized.
It is important to note that the term "fall" used for the seed does not imply that it is thrown with force or negligence, but on the contrary, it represents the generous act of the Lord in spreading his Word to all indiscriminately. Just as the sower makes no distinction between the types of soil, so also the Lord does not discriminate between rich and poor, wise, and ignorant, negligent and zealous, courageous, and vile. He speaks to everyone and does his job, even if he knows in advance what will happen.
Dear brothers, in this parable of the sower, Jesus mentions the influence of Satan in the context of the land along the road.
The Lord explains that the seeds that fall on the road represent those who listen to the Word of God, but the devil comes immediately and removes it from their hearts. This parable illustrates how the Evil One can hinder the reception and acceptance of the Word of God.
This parable, present in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, illustrates the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven and examines the reception of the Word of God by people in various types of terrain.
Quoting this passage from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 13:18-19):
"In understanding the parable of the sower, notice that when someone hears the Word of the Kingdom but does not understand it, the Evil One intervenes and "steals" what has been sown in his heart, symbolized as the seed thrown along the way."
Jesus explains that when a person hears the Word of God but does not understand it, the devil intervenes and "steals" what has been sown in the heart of that person. The term "steal" in this context indicates that the devil can influence people so that they do not understand or accept the Word of God, thereby hindering the growth of their faith.
In the explanation given by Jesus the hard ground represents those who listen to the word of God, but immediately the devil comes and takes away the word sown in their hearts, so that they cannot believe and be saved.
Thus, in the parable of the sower, the devil represents the strength or the negative influence that can prevent people from accepting the Word of God and believing in it.
Beloved Brothers in Christ, the concept of the devil as we read in the context of today’s Gospel is a reality! And the Incarnation bears witness to this.
Dear friends, in a few days we will enter the month of November and according to the Gregorian calendar, a calendar followed by many people in the West, we prepare to celebrate a feast dedicated to all the saints.
That said, there is, however, a corruption fruit that is clearly seen in the worldwide celebration of a popular holiday that has been imported from Hollywood that carries within itself ancient pagan roots and celebrates the damnation of souls. I am clearly referring to the Halloween party: the party of the damned.
The name "Halloween" (in Irish Hallow E'en) comes from the contracted form of All Hallows' Eve, where Hallow is the archaic English word meaning "Holy"' on the eve of all Saints, therefore. All Saints Day is "Ali Hallows' Day".
Thus, Satan’s evil presence is described as follows:
1. He was an angel and God had entrusted him with an important task.
However, because of the depth of his pride that later caused the rebellion, he was repudiated by losing all honors received.
2. The fruit of this rebellion is like a brutal jealousy march that operates as an infection especially to the thought that God, in his divine incarnation, has taken upon himself all our human nature.
3. This jealousy is like a brutal epidemic that causes the corruption of every virtue with the aim of harming the community of Saints (baptized) made immune by participation in Divine and Holy Mysteries.
4. The primary objective of this pandemic is to dominate every living being who has free will.
5. The tactic of the Evil One, moreover, is typical of the narcissist. That is, his ability is to isolate people and then imprison them in their minds. One of these fruits is depression. And just when a man is in the throes of depression, we know it very well, he hides himself inside the prison of his mind.
The parable emphasizes the importance of being open and willing to accept the Word of God in one’s own lives, so that it can grow and bear fruit.
This is because these people do not really believe in the divine Word and have no sincere desire or spiritual conviction. The Word finds no welcome in them, just as a seed cannot penetrate a hardened and beaten road. Instead, this Word remains superficial and vulnerable, symbolized by the fact that it is trampled or becomes prey to birds.
The teaching here is that only when we take care of the divine Word and internalize it with faith and devotion can the devil not steal it. We must have an open heart and ready to receive the Word of God, nourishing it and allowing it to take root deeply in us. In this way, the Word can bear fruit in our lives. If, however, we do not pay attention and take care of the Word, it will remain superficial and vulnerable to loss.
The lesson here is that we must be open, receptive, and devoted to the Word of God to benefit and grow spiritually thus renouncing Satan and all his seductions when they present themselves with buna force of will and personal discipline.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, resistance to Satan involves fighting the temptations, the evil and the negative influence that this figure represents.
Fight with Prayer, living a virtuous life based on moral and ethical principles avoiding sin and trying to make right and wise choices. Share heartily in this community of faith to offer support and encouragement in the fight against evil. Thus, strengthening faith and determination. Act compassionately, selflessly, and lovingly counteracts the negative influence of Satan. Remember, good can defeat evil.
2. The stone:
In the case of the "stone" in the parable of the Sower, the ground represents another type of listener. In this case, the soil is like a rock: it seems to have a little thickness, but not enough to retain moisture, which symbolizes the knowledge of Christ and deep faith.
This type of listener welcomes the Word of God with initial joy and seems to believe but has no deep roots in faith. These people may believe for a time, but when the hour of temptation or difficulty comes, they give in easily. This is because their faith is superficial, like a plant that grows on a rock without sufficient roots to draw nourishment and moisture from the earth.
The reference to the episode of the people of Israel in the book of Exodus emphasizes the importance of having a solid and rooted faith. In the case of the mentioned episode, the people of Israel, despite having seen miracles and received the guidance of Moses, quickly abandoned their faith in God and turned to idolatry when Moses was late in coming down from the mountain. This shows how fundamental it is to have a firm and rooted faith so that one does not give in to temptations or difficulties at the first obstacle.
In summary, the lesson here is that superficial faith cannot endure trials and difficulties. It is important to have a rooted and solid faith, so that the Word of God can grow and prosper in us even in the face of challenges.
3. The thorns.
In the part of the Sower’s parable about "thorns", the earth symbolizes another type of listener. In this case, the seed falls between the thorns, but these grow along with it and eventually suffocate the growing plant.
Saint Basil the Great provides us with an important spiritual guide, emphasizing the importance of sobriety, avoiding vain things, and renouncing worldly glories. This type of listener represents those who, after hearing the Word of God, allow worldly worries, wealth, and pleasures to take over their lives. These worldly distractions prevent the Word of God from growing and bearing fruit. It is like the experience of Judas, the traitor who, despite having known Jesus, gave in to the temptations of wealth and tradition.
The main lesson here is that we must be careful not to allow worldly concerns and desires to stifle our faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ. Worldly distractions can be like thorns that prevent us from maturing spiritually.
We must remain firmly attached to the merciful love of Christ, devoting all our energies to cultivating our faith and our relationship with Him. In this way, we can avoid being stifled by the worries of life and remain faithful to the Lord. This part of the parable also reminds us of our fragile human condition and the importance of remaining faithful to Christ despite the challenges and temptations we may encounter.
4. The good earth.
In the final part of the Sower’s parable, the soil represents the ideal type of listener. Here, the seed falls on the good earth, it sprouts and produces an abundant fruit.
This soil symbolizes those who, after listening to the Word of God with a sincere and perfect heart, not only welcome it with joy but guard it and make it bear fruit through their perseverance in faith. In other words, these people not only listen to the Word, but put it into practice in their daily lives with love, dedication, and patience.
The Lord offers a special blessing to those who have lovingly protected the Word of God, defending it from the attacks of the evil one, emphasizing that the Kingdom of Heaven is destined for them.
The main lesson here is that to be like the "good earth," we must constantly work on ourselves, keeping the ground of our hearts free from the weeds of worldly distractions. Assimilating the Word of God requires patience and constancy, just like weeding out a soil. Perseverance is fundamental, and the Lord encourages us to persevere to the end by growing spiritually and maturing in faith.
Patience is a key element in this parable because it also indicates the ability to resist challenges, to persevere and to continue to nourish the Word of God in our hearts despite adversity.
When seeds fall on fertile soil, they grow, produce fruit, and ripen. This fruit represents spiritual growth, firm faith, and Christian witness in the life of those who have the patience to listen to the Word of God, meditate on it and put it into practice over time. Patience in the parable of the sower is the trait that allows challenges, temptations, and difficulties to be overcome, allowing the Word of God to take root deeply in hearts and bear spiritual fruit.
Therefore, the fruit that produces the patience of this Gospel parable is a strong, mature and fruitful faith, together with a life that reflects the principles and teachings of the Word of God.
Prayer and relationship with God are not a selfish command or desire, but an act of total trust and submission to God. We must give the Lord time to work in us and to transform ourselves, just as clay is shaped in the hands of a potter. The parable reminds us that we can all change and grow spiritually in time, gathering the fruits of the Divine Spirit.
In summary, the parable of the Sower teaches us that the Word of God can be welcomed and bear fruit when we guard it with sincere hearts, patience, and perseverance. It is an encouragement for those who seek to grow in faith and an invitation to those who may be distracted or negligent to pay attention to God’s Word and put it into practice for their salvation.
San Longinus and the Good Sower
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday the Holy Church of God celebrates the liturgical memorial of the Venerable and Holy Martyr Longinus.
He was a Roman centurion who played a significant role during the Crucifixion of Jesus. Longinus and his soldiers were on guard at Golgotha, right at the foot of the Cross, when Jesus was crucified. They directly witnessed the last moments of Jesus' earthly life and the miracles that accompanied His death. These events had a profound impact on Longinus, who eventually converted to Christianity and publicly confessed that Jesus was the Son of God.
The Christian tradition also tells that Longinus was the soldier who, with a spear, pierced Jesus' side on the Cross and that from that wound he received healing from a problem in the eye.
Although there is no direct connection or specific association between the parable of the Sower and Saint Longinus martyr. However, it is possible to find some thematic connections between the parable of the Sower and the story of Saint Longinus that can be used in a spiritual reflection.
1. Conversion: The parable of the Sower as we have seen describes different types of soil in which the seed of the Word of God falls. Saint Longinus is often remembered for his conversion to Christianity after seeing Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and taking part in his martyrdom. Both cases represent the theme of conversion and spiritual transformation.
2. Healing: In the parable of the Sower, we have witnessed how the seed that falls into the good soil grows and bear’s fruit. In the history of San Longinus, his healing from blindness, according to tradition, is associated with the blood of Christ. Both cases address the concept of healing, both physical and spiritual, through contact with the Word of God or the sacrifice of Jesus.
3. The testimony of faith: Both the parable of the Sower and the story of Saint Longinus represent testimonies of faith. In the parable, the good soil represents those who listen to the Word of God and guard it, producing fruit through their faith. Saint Longinus testifies to his faith through his act of piercing the side of Christ and his subsequent conversion to Christianity.
O Holy Martyr Longinus, faithful witness of Christ and instrument of his mercy, we humbly pray to you in this time of need. You who have witnessed the last moments of the Saviour’s earthly life, who have seen the wonders of His death and confessed His divinity, intercede for us before the throne of God.
Saint Longinus, help us to recognize the greatness of Jesus Christ in our daily life. Let us pray that we may have the strength to confess our faith with courage, even in the face of challenges and difficulties. Help us to see God’s mercy in every situation and to be instruments of love and compassion in the world.
Pray with us, O Saint Longinus, that we may receive the healing and spiritual transformation we need. Intercede for us in our supplications and needs.
St Longinus, a faithful martyr, prays for us so that we can follow the example of faith and conversion. Lead us on the path of Christ’s holiness and love, so that we may one day share His eternal glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Amen.
May the blessing of God the Almighty Father descend upon you and remain with you always! Amen.
Archdeacon Michele Alberto Del Duca
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