1 Cor 15:35-37, 42-49 / Luke 8:4-15
In the nature world, the survival and reproduction of the species is always put to the test.
Mortality rate is always high, and together with the elements of nature and predators, those that survive and can eventually reproduce are significantly small in number.
This can be seen in the parable of the sower in the gospel. Many seeds were sown but in the end probably only a small number survive and are able to produce a harvest.
Jesus ended off the parable by saying this: As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
It is obvious enough that perseverance is necessary in the world of nature to survive and to reproduce.
And in the spiritual world, it is also by perseverance with a noble and generous heart to hear the Word of God and to bear a harvest of good works.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul also used the analogy of a grain being sowed in the ground. What is sown is weak, but what is raised is powerful.
But it would take a lot of perseverance to keep growing until it can bear a harvest.
God has sown the seeds of His Word in our hearts. Let us persevere with a noble and generous heart. Let us also be patient and with God's showers of blessing, we will bear a glorious harvest of good works.