Bishop Valenzuela: Paraguay needs to sow peace and recover values

Bishop Ricardo Valenzuela of the Diocese of Caacupé has called on Paraguay to actively sow peace, respect, and solidarity to revitalize its moral, ethical, and patriotic values. He warned that these foundational principles have been gradually weakening and urged families, educators, authorities, and citizens to become sowers of hope.

During a Sunday mass, Bishop Valenzuela drew parallels with the parable of the sower, explaining that God offers seeds of opportunity, not finished products. He stressed that cultivating these seeds requires commitment, perseverance, and faith. The bishop exhorted the faithful to abandon hatred, offenses, division, and selfishness, advocating for a society where mutual respect, solidarity, and love for one's neighbor prevail.

He illustrated his point with an anecdote about an angel-run shop where a man sought immediate solutions like money and happiness. The angel's response, "We don't sell processed products here, only seeds," highlighted that divine offerings require personal effort to grow. Valenzuela noted that Jesus often used natural imagery like fields and vineyards in his parables because these were familiar concepts to his audience.

“

Here we don't sell processed products, only seeds.

The bishop further elaborated on the parable by describing different types of people in relation to the "Word of God." Some, he said, live superficially, driven by pleasure and success, allowing the message to be easily lost. Others are consumed by daily activism, neglecting their spiritual well-being, akin to thorny ground where seeds struggle to grow. In contrast, he described the wise person as one who embraces, understands, and acts upon the Word, producing abundant fruit through sacrifice and perseverance.

Bishop Valenzuela concluded by prompting attendees to reflect on the nature of the "seeds", words and actions, that emanate from their hearts. He cautioned that words possess the power to cause significant good or harm, referencing the Book of Proverbs.

“

the Word of God bounces and is carried away by the first bird that passes.