I feel it and hear it spoken all around me these days. There is so much bitterness and hardening of hearts in our country today. How do we not give up on hope? Read Luke 8:4-15. Jesus tells the story of the Sower who scatters seed. Some fall on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns and some among the good soil.

Jesus speaks about the word of God as a seed that is sown but does not produce fruit in everyone. Many obstacles prevent the seed from taking root and growing. For many of us in our violent and divided country, it can feel as if the soil has grown hard. Words of anger, fear and suspicion seem to take root more easily than words of peace, forgiveness and respect for each other. This is how God’s word is being choked out by the thorns of hatred, greed and violence.

However, this story that I encourage you to look up and pray over is also a story of hope. Even in difficult times, the Sower never stops scattering seeds. God never stops sowing His word of life into our hearts, and through us, into our communities and the world.

Our task these days is to ask ourselves, what kind of soil am I? Am I allowing God’s word to be planted deep enough within me to bear the fruits of compassion, careful listening, reconciliation, justice and peace?

Read this passage, and let it encourage you not to give up, not to let fear or bitterness harden your heart and lose hope for ourselves, for our country, and for the world. As we walk into the week ahead, with all the uncertainties and challenges that we face, remember who we are called to be, the “good soil” where God’s word can grow strong and our lives can produce the harvest the world needs the most - love that builds bridges, mercy that heals wounds, respect that encourages dialogue, and HOPE that refuses to die.

May sharing in prayer and in the Eucharist each week help us to persevere in bearing good fruit and offering hope to those around us and the world.

I want to share that I will be away from September 29th until October 9th. For any sacramental or Pastoral needs please contact the parish offices for assistance.

Happy Fall to all.

With you a Christian. For you a priest.

Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish