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Wednesday, January 26, 2005

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Sts. Timothy & Titus


2 Timothy 1:1-8 or
Titus 1:1-5
Psalm 110
Mark 4:1-20

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a sow-sow harvest

"What the sower is sowing is the word." —Mark 4:14

In His parable of the sower, Jesus doesn't mention anything about the farmer except that he "went out sowing" (Mk 4:3). However, we can conclude the following about the sower from Jesus' parable:

  • "God's word is living and effective" (Heb 4:12). The seed, that is, the word of God (Mk 4:14), grew regardless of the skill and holiness of the farmer. God's word is far greater than those who sow it.
  • The only skill the farmer needed was to get out there in the field and put the seed out (see 2 Tm 4:2). Evangelists fail only when they keep the word to themselves.
  • The farmer used the broadcast method of sowing, that is, he threw the seed everywhere. Likewise, we evangelists must spread God's word everywhere (see Mt 24:45). We must never filter out those people we think will not be receptive. Our efforts are never wasted, even if it seems so to us (see Is 49:4; 1 Cor 15:58).
  • In Jesus' time, a good harvest was a seven to eight fold increase. A "thirty- and sixty- and a hundredfold" harvest (Mk 4:20) is miraculous. God's word does not return to Him void, but achieves His great purposes (Is 55:10-11).

What might look like barren ground to us who sow can be instantly changed by Jesus into good ground. So, sow!

Prayer:  Jesus, I love You. I dedicate myself to feeding Your sheep with Your word (Jn 21:17).

Promise:  "Stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when...hands were laid on you." —2 Tm 1:6

Praise:  "Thanks be to God, Who has put an equal zeal for you in the heart of Titus!" (2 Cor 8:16)

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004