Homily for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Jesus often used parables to teach people about life, faith, and His mission to lead them to the Kingdom of Heaven. He used metaphors that the people could relate to, and in today's passage, He explains to His Apostles the meanings behind these metaphors.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus focuses on the different types of soil on which the seed falls, representing how people receive the Word of God. Some never accept the Word; others believe briefly but fall away due to criticism of their faith; some believe, but the Word is choked by worldly anxiety and the seduction of riches; while others respond to the Word and produce abundant fruit.

Let's pray that we always remain as the fertile soil on which the seed of God’s Word falls and that we take that Word and share it with others through our words, actions, and attitudes.