Dear Friends,
Charles is preaching on Sunday, and we’re looking forward to hearing what he has to say about the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13.1-9, and v18-23).
The word translated as ‘parable’ in the Gospels has a wide range of meanings. It means much more than a story, or an analogy. A parable can be a sort of wisdom saying, and this Sunday’s reading sounds very much like that, an observation about life which can be applied to the experience of Christian faith.
Jesus paints a picture of someone sowing seed by hand, like casting a handful of grass seed onto the earth, and he says there are four possible outcomes. The seed might never get going; it grows, but with no substance because it’s landed on a thin layer of soil with hard rock underneath; it grows but is unproductive because of the weeds; or it flourishes, and fulfils its potential. In the first scenario where the birds eat up the seed, the person never really hears the message. In the second, where the sun came up and scorched the young plants, we might say today that the person has no resilience. In the third, where the weeds choke the plants, I think we can all relate easily to that, when we think of the anxieties and distractions of our world which can divert our attention away from growing into maturity as Christians. And the fourth, the state we all want to be in, where we are flourishing, strong and mature in faith, blessing those around us, fulfilling our potential as we contribute to the life of the church, and in the purposes that God has for our lives.
One of the striking things about this parable is the grace and generosity of God, who sows seed everywhere, whatever the soil, giving everyone a chance. Some of us may have had experiences in life that have felt a bit like being choked by the weeds, that prevent us from maturing in the way that we might have done, but God doesn’t write us off. Even the plants that produce a good crop do so in varying amounts (some 100 times, others only 30 times what they started with). I find that reassuring; we are not all able to be super-productive as Christians! Take a look at St Luke’s version of this parable; he emphasises the need for patience and perseverance (Luke 8.15). So let’s keep going, doing what we can to nurture our faith, and keep trusting God to do his work in us.
You will have read in the Notices about church opening for prayer. So begins a new phase in our life as a church, as we look forward to the time when we can worship God together at St John’s, albeit in new ways, prioritising the safety of everyone, exercising grace and patience as we learn together how to make it work. We’ll have to see how it goes and adapt accordingly! There will of course be those who will be unable to join us in person for a long time. Don’t worry, we’ll continue to make provision for you with online and dial-in services over the coming months, and with the weekly delivery of support materials. The Vicar’s job has now been advertised, so do pray for all those who are thinking of applying, and for those involved in the interview process (especially Janet and Lorna), that they would all be listening to God’s voice, and making wise decisions.
I do believe that God has exciting plans for St John’s as we continue to work out the complexities of this new world that we find ourselves in. Our God is faithful and can be trusted.
Romans 15.13, a blessing for us all
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
With grace and peace,
Sue McWhinney
sue@stjohnsfarsley.org.uk
07484 181699