In Luke 8, Jesus tells a parable that begins, “A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell on a path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up…”  Jesus describes the various states of the ground upon which the seed falls.  Some falls on the path, some on rocks, some among thorns, and some on good soil. 

As you would expect, only the seed that falls on ‘good soil’ is fruitful.  The seed is scattered wide — broadcast, like you would sow grass seed — but the harvest comes only from the places where the seed falls on soil that can sustain growth.

For as long as I’ve been listening to sermons or inflicting them on others, I have always been concerned with assessing what kind of soil is present in my heart and mind.  Am I closed off and hardened to receiving Christ’s good news?  Is there any depth in me to sustain growth of the seeds planted?  Has my enthrallment to the ways of the world choked off the fruitfulness of my faith?  In short, am I ‘good soil’ for the good news?

There’s nothing wrong with asking ourselves these questions, but for today I’m more concerned about the sowing.  I don’t know what kind of soil I am.  In truth, I think if you were to take a tour through my interior life you would find all the types of soil Jesus described. 

In the parable, the soil is passive.  It receives the seed.  Some soil is congenial to growth, and some isn’t.  The soil doesn’t do anything, and it isn’t asked to do anything.

The only action is that of the sower.

I don’t know what kind of soil you are, but I know we are all supposed to be sowers.  Jesus has commissioned us all to “Go, therefore, making disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19) 

Instead of worrying whether you need some compost or tilling, think about broadcasting the gospel of peace and justice, spreading hope among the despairing that it is possible to experience life that transcends our brokenness and alienation.  Don’t worry about where the good news lands – God will make it fruitful.

Prayer:  If your good news can take root in me, it will grow anywhere.  Let me sow seeds of good news today far and wide.  Amen.