From the Rector
The Rev. David G. Read Rector, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church And School
Jesus spoke frequently in parables. One of them – the parable of the sower (see Mark 4: 1-20) – came to life for me while I was in Uganda last month. In the parable Jesus talks about a farmer who slings a sack of seed over his shoulder, and walks through his field tossing and scattering handfuls of seed with great abandon. Jesus admits that this is not the most efficient method of planting seeds. He tells us some seeds landed in good soil, but many landed on the path, some in rocky soil, and some landed among thorn bushes. The seeds that fell among the rocks, thorns, and on the path failed to thrive. But the seeds that fell on the good soil increased and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold. Even though he knew many seeds would land in poor soil, the sower sowed with almost reckless gusto.
The team from St. Luke’s that traveled to Uganda was composed of six high school students, eight university students, and four adults. When we arrived in the town of Goli, in the Diocese of Nebbi, we immediately realized that the harvest was plentiful but the laborers were few. There were children everywhere! We visited three primary schools and one private secondary school. Each primary school housed 1200-1500 students, and at each one we taught them songs about God, or performed a play telling the Road to Emmaus story (Luke 24: 13-35). We also hosted an after school Vacation Bible School which was attended by 2000-2500 children each of the four days we led it. On subsequent Sundays Elizabeth Allen and I both had the opportunity to preach in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and I had the chance to preach on an FM radio station. (Radio Paidha 87.8 FM)
Toward the end of our days in Uganda I began to ask myself how effective our ministry had been. I wondered how many children heard something new about God’s love for them, or maybe even heard it for the first time. I wondered how many overworked teachers were strengthened or encouraged by hearing our message that God walks with them wherever they go. I wondered if anyone in the pews on Sunday mornings, or listening on the radio, had their faith renewed by our efforts. The truth is that I don’t know.
It was obvious that some of the seeds we sowed landed on good soil. We witnessed smiling faces, warm handshakes, and hugs. We heard children on the roadside singing songs we had taught them at VBS. But I will never know about the effectiveness of our ministry for many thousands of children. As I reflected on that it rather suddenly dawned on me that knowing the results of our efforts did nott really matter.
We sowed with great abandon, great energy, and great love. We could see that some seeds instantly sprouted in young hearts, but only God knows how the others will turn out. We sowed, but it is God who gives the growth. Some seeds may sprout in the weeks ahead. Others may lay dormant for years before they bear fruit. And still others may never sprout at all. God does not make us responsible for the growth, but God through Jesus Christ does call us to sow. And he does not call us to sow with stinginess or scarcity. Jesus calls us to spread his Word with great gusto and recklessness. Gathering handfuls of seeds and tossing them as far and as wide as possible.
There were other lives I observed that were obviously changed. These were not African children, these were the sowers – the members of our team. We were changed. As we sowed our eyes opened, our hearts widened, our faith was renewed, old barriers fell, fears faded, and new relationships were forged. We went out into the field to sow, but came home transformed disciples.
Jesus calls you and me to sow his Word in the world with extravagance and boldness: In Africa and in Alamo Heights; in classrooms and in office buildings; on golf courses and around bridge tables. But be warned. It may just change your life.
Peace,
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