First general audience of Pope Leo XIV about the parable of the sowing

In his first general hearing, when 13 days have been completed since he was chosen, Pope Leo XIV assured that God’s love moves away from human calculations, since he acts as the sower of the parable of Jesus, that “it goes out to sow, but does not worry where the seed falls.”

“We are used to calculating things – sometimes it is necessary – but this is not worth in love!” Exclaimed the pontiff. “It is God who moves history, although sometimes it seems absent or distant,” he added below.

In his catechesis, he wanted to resume the theme “Jesus Christ, our hope”, initiated by Pope Francis, whose death is fulfilled precisely one month this Wednesday. From the analysis of the sowing parabola, he showed how God works in history.

As he explained, in this story you can recognize the way of communicating of Jesus, which is like a “teaching” for the announcement of the Gospel today.

“The parable raises questions, invites us not to stay in appearances,” he explained, after verifying that this episode of the Gospel speaks precisely about the dynamics of the Word of God and the effects it produces.

In this way, he insisted that the word of the Gospel is “as a seed that is thrown into the field”, which must be interpreted as “our life”, “our heart”, but also “the world, the community and the church.” Thus he found that Jesus “is willing to die to transform our life” and that his word is “for all”, although “acts in each one differently.”

The word of God “fascinates and awakens curiosity,” he recalled.

In his considerations about the parable of the sower, he noted that the peasant “throws even where it is unlikely that she gives fruit: on the road, between the stones, among the thorns.” And he explained: “The way in which this wasteful sowing throws the seed is an image of the way God loves us.”

“With this parable, Jesus tells us that God throws the seed of his word on all kinds of terrain, that is, in any situation in which we find ourselves: sometimes we are more superficial and distracted, sometimes we get carried away by enthusiasm, sometimes we are overwhelmed by life concerns, but there are also times when we are available and welcoming,” he said.

God expects the seed for sooner or later

Thus, he made clear to the pilgrims gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro that “God trusts and hopes that, sooner or later, the seed flourish.”

“He loves us like this: he does not wait for us to be the best terrain, he always gives us his word generously. Perhaps, precisely seeing that he trusts us, it is born in us the desire to be a better terrain. This is hope, founded on the rock of the generosity and mercy of God,” he said.

To better illustrate the meaning of this parable, Pope Leo XIV used Van Gogh’s painting The sowing at sunset.

An image that reflects the sowing “under the scorching sun” and speaks “also of the peasant’s effort.” Pope Leo XIV also caught his attention that, behind the sowing, Van Gogh “has represented wheat already mature.” As he said, it is an image of hope, because “in one way or another, the seed has borne fruit.”

In the center of the scene, he appreciated, however, that the sower is not because it stands aside. “The whole painting is dominated by the image of the sun, perhaps to remind us that it is God who moves the story, although sometimes it seems absent or distant.” “It is the sun that heats the earth and makes the seed mature,” he explained.

Finally, he asked for the grace of “always welcoming” the seed that is the Word of God. He added: “And if we realize that we are not fertile land, let’s not discourage ourselves, but ask him to continue working on us to become a better field.”

Hundreds of pilgrims queued from early in the morning to pass the controls and be able to attend the first public catechesis of Leo XIV in the first ranks. According to official figures, about 40,000 people were present. Before taking the floor, the Pope toured the Plaza de San Pedro in Papamóvil, greeted the faithful and blessed some babies.