This Sunday in the ecclesiastical gospel lectionary of the Church we commemorate the affirmation of icon Veneration at the Seventh Ecumenical Council 787 AD and the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council.

The gospel assigned for this Sunday relates to the Holy Fathers working in the field of the Lord.  This is the Parable of the Sower, Luke 8:4-15, where the Sowers seed fell into four distinct types of ground. The Church Fathers, “by giving their time to doing good deeds” and “providing for real needs”, were not only receptive to God’s Word but were also Sowers of the Word for others.

The same questions concerning our responsibilities as to the quality of our own soil are also addressed to us individually. The question is basically, in what ways are you a Sower of God’s Word in your own family, parish, workplace and community.

During our journey towards Christ what steps will we take as His followers to prepare to become better more productive soil in our lives.   With this in mind we should follow the examples of the Church Fathers who accomplished so much for the dissemination of the faith to the world. It is our Christian responsibility to not only improve the soil but to nurture the seed planted in the good soil, for the betterment of all.

May Almighty God bless all of you with continued strength and determination in our faith.