It is the sixth Sunday after Pentecost. Today’s Bach cantata is “Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt” (Just as the rain and snow fall from heaven):

Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23:

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

. . . .

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The text of today’s piece is available here. It contains these words:

Just as the rain and snow fall from heaven
and do not return again to it, rather moisten the earth and make it fruitful and growing, so that it gives seed for sowing and bread to eat: So shall the word, that goes forth from My mouth, be also; it will not return to me empty, rather it does my will, and shall achieve the purpose for which I send it.

My God, here is my heart:
I open it to you in my Jesus’ name;
so cast your seed within
as on a fertile soil.
My God, here is my heart:
May it bear such fruit, and hundred-fold.
O Lord, Lord, help! O Lord, let it be accomplished!

Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.