By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture - St. Paul rejoices in the fulfillment of the promise: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us… we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (cf. Rom. 8:18-23)... Jesus describes our uncomfortable encounters with the Word in the Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:1-23), heard in the Gospel for this past Sunday.