Yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold

Ex 20,1-17; Ps 18; Mt 13,18-23
26 JULY

The parable of the sower is full of hope for the sower of the Word. Jesus sowed the Word. Not all the people of the Lord were converted. Just after the ascension in Jerusalem, there were already one hundred and twenty people. It is an abundant fruit.

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons … (Cf. At 1,12-15).

It begins with the descent of the Holy Spirit. Immediately about three thousand people join the community. After the first miracles, the number of men reaches about five thousand. Conversion is not only for the sons of Israel. Even pagans welcome the Word. It is for every man, because Jesus Christ is for every man. He is for everyone. The Holy Spirit chooses Barnabas and Saul and sends them to a mission to the pagans. In Corinth the Lord reassures Paul. There is a large population in the city.

He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day (Cf. At 2,37-41). But many of those who heard the word came to believe and (the) number of men grew to (about) five thousand (Cf. At 4,1-4).

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas (to go) to Antioch (At 11,19-22). Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off (At 13,1-3). One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them (At 18,9-22).

Do all get converted? In the front of the missionaries there are always the hearts that are road, stony soil, soil full of thorns and the good soil. It was like that for Jesus. It’s like this for every one of his disciples. The Lord gives us a certainty: the good soil is always there. There is always a good heart that listens. When one reads the Acts of the Apostles this truth is the essence of the narration. Paul never spoke in vain in one place. He has always collected precious fruits for the kingdom of God. The Word of Jesus is very pure truth.

“Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Another truth that must be put in the heart wants that not every seed produces the same quantity of fruit. There is that one respondent to one hundred, one to sixty and some to thirty. In this the Sower must be very wise and knowing. He cannot expect the same result from everyone. He must sow, cure, cultivate, protect and defend the seed. Then, the seed will produce according to its capacity. A truth today forgotten by everyone. All claim to be equal to others. It is not given by nature and by grace.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, give us the wisdom to understand the Word of Jesus.