The Sower Went Out to Sow
This sermon discusses the parable of “The Sower Went Out to Sow,” where Pope Shenouda III explains that the sower is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the seeds are the Word of God given to all people without exception. God calls everyone to salvation and grants everyone an equal opportunity to hear His word, whether they are ready to accept it or not.
The Divine Call to All
Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that God deprives no one of His grace, but sends His word to everyone just as the sower cast his seeds on all kinds of soil. The primary responsibility is that the Word of God reaches the person, while accepting or rejecting it depends on the response of the heart.
Human Responsibility Before the Word of God
The sermon stresses that a person cannot excuse himself or blame others if he does not benefit spiritually, because the means of grace are available to him: the Holy Bible, prayer, the Church, the sacraments, and worship. Therefore, every person is asked about the nature of the soil of his heart and his readiness to receive the Word of God.
Different Fruits According to Readiness
Although the word is one and the grace is one, the fruits differ from one person to another according to the inner response. There are those who hear the word and grow spiritually, and there are those who hear it without being affected. The difference is not in the sower or the seed, but in the soil that receives it.
Benefiting from All Means of Grace
Pope Shenouda III explains that a heart longing for God can benefit from everything: the Gospel, prayer, the liturgy, icons, incense, rites, and even nature that bears witness to the glory of God. A sincere desire to draw near to God enables a person to grow spiritually continually.
The Spiritual Message
The main message is that God grants His word and grace to everyone, but the spiritual fruit depends on the readiness and response of the heart. Therefore, every person should examine himself and ask: Am I good soil that receives the Word of God and bears fruit, or is there something hindering the work of grace in my life?
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