Boston University’s Marsh Chapel held their first of two readings of “Parable of the Sower” Thursday, part of a Boston-wide program in which the book will be presented by ArtsEmerson, the Boston Public Library and New Roots Church.

When Melinda Lopez, a Boston University College of Fine Arts adjunct professor, first heard that the City of Boston declared Oct. 29 as Melinda Lopez Day, she thought it was a joke. “I thought...