'When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.'
Many ministries in the Church focus mainly on serving existing Catholics. True missionary work—bringing Christ to those who have never known Him—is rare, Pontifical mission society for example or priests who go to rular area are often considered not necessary or not for an advanced society. In fact, we've seen first hands many Catholic leaders shy away from it, fearing the label of “proselytizing.” Jesus’ name is seldom proclaimed to non-Catholics, because most of us are busy seeking comfort or help within our own groups—whether parish ministries, lay communities, or online circles.
But the world is desperate for workers in the “good soil,” to move seeds away from the path where they are trampled, and not obsess only over the rocky ground. Many of us think we stand on good soil, yet our lives are tangled in the thorns. It’s not hard to find those serving the poor while still being ruled by fear for their own safety—or those who have consecrated themselves to God, yet still chase higher salaries for career advancement.
No one can serve two masters: Christ and career, Jesus and country, God and mammon. Devotion to one will always make the other seem burdensome—or merely “nice to have.”