The parable of the seed scattered on the ground would seem to present one distinctive element, namely the invisible power of growth which the seed possesses.
The parable has three moments in its drama:
1. The man appears, and sews the seed.
2. What seems like a long time passes in which the man does not appear. Instead, an invisible force brings about the slow growth of the corn.
3. The man appears again at just the right moment, sickle in hand, to harvest the ripe corn.
The parable presents an image of the Kingdom of God as it appears in history.
1. The King appeared on earth and deposited the power of salvation.
2. Ages pass in which the King does not visibly appear. But His invisible power operates; the Kingdom grows. As St. Paul put it, regarding his own ministry, “Neither he that plants is anything, nor he that waters, but God gives the increase.” (I Cor 3:7)
3. When everything has been completed, the King will appear before our eyes again, and the blade of His truth will separate good from evil. He and everything good will shine with glory.
The moral of the story, then, as I see it: Patience, trust.
God knows His business. Everything we need is right under our noses, in the perennial customs of the Holy Church. In due time, we will grow to ripe fullness.
Father Mark White Blog 