Homily for Sexagesima

Today's homily for Sexagesima ("About 60 days before Easter") draws our attention to our Lord's "Sufficient Grace." The Gospel reading, Luke 8:4-15, gives us Jesus' parable of the Sower sowing the seed of His Word. In the Epistle reading, 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9, St. Paul boasts of His weaknesses, being told by the Lord Himself that His grace is sufficient. Put the two readings together, and we have a great way to prepare for Lent. Hearing the Word of our Lord's "Sufficient Grace" is what we need the most, because, after all, our gracious God plants His Seed on the Cross for us and for our salvation.

We were also treated to these fitting words from Martin Franzmann:

The sower sows; his reckless love
     Scatters abroad the goodly seed,
Intent alone that all may have
     The wholesome loaves that all men need.

Though some be snatched and some be scorched
     And some be choked and matted flat,
The sower sows; his heart cries out,
     "Oh, what of that, and what of that?"

Of all his scattered plenteousness
     One-fourth waves ripe on hill and flat,
And bears a harvest hundredfold:
     "Ah, what of that, Lord what of that!" (Lutheran Service Book 586:3-5)

Click here to download the audio file and listen to "Sufficient Grace."