Wednesday Gospel Webinar Portsmouth Diocese – Formation for Mission

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Literal meaning Where? Matthew 13 – somewhere in Galilee When? After rejection by Pharisees, before rejection by his town What? Jesus teaches by the lake, sitting down Who? Jesus, large crowds, disciples How? Parable – the Sower Why? Reveals and hides the mysteries of the kingdom of God

The parable of the Sower A new and mysterious teaching The paradox of God’s revelation: unveiling and covering Understanding is a gift of God Understanding requires discipleship Unimaginable harvest - Eschatology

The Sower The Seed The Incarnation The Cross The Resurrection Finding God The Sower The Seed The Incarnation The Cross The Resurrection

Finding the human person Dispositions to receiving God’s Word Map of the spiritual life God’s faithfulness and perseverance Free human response to God’s grace

Finding the Church Field sown The sowing: Mass Participates in the Sower’s work Fruitfulness: holiness

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.   Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us. Amen. Alleluia.

Acknowledgments Mosaics artworks: © Fr Marko Rupnik and Centro Aletti www.centroaletti.com With gratitude to the Wednesday Word www.wednesdayword.org