Meditating on today's gospel reading brought us face to face with our experiences in our volunteer work in the Adult Literacy programme (ALTA) and among persons with HIV/AIDS. We see Jesus' parable as instructions for those who carry the message and for those who receive the message.

Jesus himself is very much aware that not everyone who is listening to him is ready to accept his message, but that did not discourage him from delivering it, even when his disciples appeared to be skeptical: “ Why do you speak to them in parables ?” they asked.

The story also teaches us that when we sow a seed we must not look for quick results. Especially in today's society we have grown to be a people who want instant results, a quick fix. We are called to be patient because there are those who would “ listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. ”

There is a very prominent medical professional who has been working in the field of HIV/AIDS since the first discovery of the virus in our country. His message of abstinence as the only sure way of avoiding the spread of the virus has been widely proclaimed in the media.

On every occasion that he lectures to professionals like himself, non-professional groups, community groups and especially young people, he continues to underscore the singular importance of abstinence.

There are some “Scribes” and “Pharisees” who feel that his message is irrelevant, and not appealing to the young, that it will not have the desired effect.

Nevertheless, he is undaunted by their criticisms and does not deviate from his message of abstinence, even though he is aware that the seed he is planting would fall at the edge of the patch….others would fall on patches of rock…..others would fall among thorns.

But there are those seeds that would fall on “ rich soil and produced their crop, some one hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty… ” This rich soil included many young people who were listening and understood the importance of his message. They began to spread the word, and established clubs that promoted abstinence in many schools in the nation – indeed they produced a rich crop!

Some time ago ALTA organised a training session for volunteers willing to assist those in our society (mainly adults) who wished to improve their reading and writing skills; a large number of committed volunteers turned up. However, not all the listeners – those who were to benefit from the ALTA programme - were open to the message.

There were those who were there for personal reasons, so they listened but their minds were shut; there were those who were just passive listeners; there were others present who took things up quickly, and just as quickly dropped them as soon as things became difficult; and there were still those who, because of their involvement in so many other things, allowed their commitment to ALTA to take second place, losing enthusiasm, falling by the wayside and producing no fruit.

However, there were many who, like the seed that fell on rich soil, opened their minds to hear and receive the message and understood it. They were patient, nurturing, and built strong roots, and were able to produce good fruit, as was attested by their benefiting immensely from the programme.

Lord, we give you thanks for the many dedicated men and women in our society today, who believe in truth, and who are not afraid to proclaim that truth regardless of its consequences.

We pray for parents who are always there for their children, continuing to give good advice and support even when they appear not to be listening.

Gospel Meditations for the month of July are by Malcolm and Janet Joseph, parishioners of St Anthony's, Petit Valley . Malcolm is the co-ordinator of Caritas-AIDS ministry and Janet is a tutor with the ALTA programme.