The Sower and the Seed.
Ordinary Sunday 15: 11 July, 1999
The Revd Dr John Davis, Vicar of St Peter's Eastern Hill
Jesus said to his disciples: 'But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears for they hear. Truly, I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it'. Mt 13: 16-17
If this is really the case, then what action follows? Such a proclamation of confident assurance may well have set the disciples back on their heels. A statement of blessing, when there were so many difficulties? Seeing, hearing, understanding, comprehending, when there was so much that was confusing? It certainly would have been encouraging. There was so much interest in what this Jesus was teaching and doing. We are told that the crowds were so great that this time he had to sit in a boat, with the people spread out on the shore. Afterwards, he explained further to his immediate group of followers.
The Lord was using one of his favourite teaching techniques. The parables are stories describing situations in everyday life. The circumstances were immediately and universally recognisable. Everyone knew how a seed-sower walked along, scattering the seed out on the ground from side to side. Everyone knew that what happened to the seed in terms of growth, depended on where it landed. But this ordinary situation is developed to convey a spiritual meaning or truth. Because the teaching method was so accessible, the chances were high that the spiritual point might also get across.
These are stories and illustrations that you just do not forget. In this case, there is an immediate and obvious spiritual point to reflect upon: am I, are we, able to place ourselves in this parable? The word of the kingdom of God has come our way. We have the opportunity to integrate a belief and a faith in God into our lives. The whole spiritual dimension of living is a part, maybe an important part, of who and what we are.
But what is the potential for this to really make a difference? In terms of the images used in this gospel, are we most like a hard path, shallow soil, rocky or thorny ground, or are we indeed the good soil? Is there really no hope at all of anything getting through? Are we merely superficially or temporarily enthusiastic? Is there too much competition? Are there too many competing demands? Or is this something really good, this developing relationship between us and our God?
The circumstances of our human lives affect our response to the message of Jesus. That was so in the first century. It is certainly so now.
Some of the parables are very short - only a couple of lines. But this one of the Sower and the Seed is well developed. It includes both the initial parable itself and a detailed explanation, as well as a lengthy reminder quoted from the prophet Isaiah about how God yearns for his people to respond to his love and to his healing power. There is a sad recognition that for some, maybe for many, the good news will never be able to get through. As the Lord sys: "seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand". Mt 13:13.
But those strong words of affirmation to the disciples that we began with, stand right at the centre of this gospel today.
The points of connection between this gospel and the life and growth of a Christian community struggling to come to terms with who it is and what is its purpose and place, are clear enough. If the disciples and then Matthew's community had to address such issues, so does every contemporary parish community. So do we.
There is always the temptation to try to be convinced that the time is not quite right. That there are just a few more other important matters and issues to be dealt with. Or that it would have been so much easier in some other more golden age or time - perhaps when things were less complicated. Or perhaps at a time when the leadership offered was more inspiring or challenging. But the truth really is that, as is said elsewhere, "now is the acceptable time". This parable today provides with a ready and simple opportunity to search our own hearts and minds; where do things stand? How is it between us and our God?
It is hard to escape the conclusion that however more convenient it may have been to address such issues as another person in another place at another time, we do not actually have such options. We have a presenting challenge right now. How responsive are we?
This central city Anglo-Catholic church has so much going for it. We also carry a very considerable responsibility. Worship, teaching, care, outreach , celebration, newness of life, welcome - all this and more. We do this as vehicles and recipients of God's grace. We do this as Christians in the name of the one whose Supper we share, whose life gives us life and whose teachings we try to make our own. We even attempt such things, through the power of the Spirit, so wonderfully and at times so surprisingly present.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
Look around us. Consider also those who attend other masses. Consider our buildings and our location. Consider the tradition that is ours, and which we share with the church universal. Consider the gifts , which together we can offer. Consider the as yet unused potential. Remember the steady stream of visitors and others coming to check us out, week by week. Consider and discern the particular charism, the particular insights and strengths that may be ours, simply because of who and what and where we are, here at St Peter's Eastern Hill.
Unlike those sad people referred to in the Lord's quotation from the prophet Isaiah, this is not a community to be described as having its "heart grown dull", or where the people have "shut their eyes", effectively blocking out the action of God among them. But we certainly have a way to go. Every Christian community has a Way to follow, together.
So much is unclear and uncertain in every aspect of our society. There are also some central truths and perceptions of the love of God which are for all times and all places, but which need to be seen and heard and understood afresh in each generation, in each community, in each individual person. Our parable today reminds us of that.
Clergy have a particular responsibility to encourage and to assist, to discern and to strengthen. This is both a joy and a burden. We can do this to the extent that we do, through the grace of God and the best use of the gifts we have received. Clergy can offer leadership, but it is the community together that will live the life. There is so much that is potentially so invigorating. We can all be encouraged by what others in similar circumstances are doing. Certainly, at the end of a century, there is a growing momentum to look towards what the future may hold, and how best we might play our part and bear our responsibilities.
In September, your Vicar will be taking some annual leave. While R&R will be much looked forward to, there will also be some 10 days spent based at CDSP Berkeley California. This is the west coast graduate seminary for the Episcopal Church. The particular project approved by the diocese will be an exploration of, as the application form says "The American Anglo-Catholic tradition, with a special focus on city church ministry. (By this is meant down-town CBD gathered congregations in the Anglo-Catholic tradition in its various manifestations, with their congregations drawn from near and far. Such issues as survival and growth, response to change and transition, creative faithfulness to the tradition, involvement in social justice and outreach are central.)" The application of this to what happens here is obvious.
So this time, city church ministry in both Los Angeles and San Francisco, will perhaps provide some interesting insights and ideas. In a short time , it can only be exploratory. Others are already on the road. Other central city Anglo-Catholic churches experience very similar challenges and tasks. Today's gospel suggests the value of eyes that can see and ears that can hear, as well as the need for the provision of a good soil and environment, for the seed to bear much fruit.
There is much for us to do together here.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
The Lord be with you.
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