The parable of the sower

Reflections

 

Today's Reflections

The parable of the sower

July 10, 2011, 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Matthew 13:1-23 (or 13:1-9)

One day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And He spoke to them at length in parables, saying: 

“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.  But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

 

Reflection
A sower… some seed… the soil… Let us focus on these three main elements of the parable.

First, there is the sower or God Himself. He never tires sowing seeds – seeds of hope, of opportunities, and of joy. 

Recall moments when you were inspired, when somebody suddenly showed up to help you, when you woke up feeling blessed. God sowed these seeds in your garden.

Second, the seed is the Word of God. I believe this refers not only to the Sacred Scriptures. Before the Scriptures were written, the chosen people had their stories: How the Lord liberated them, how He fed them, how He accompanied and protected them through the desert.

The firsthand experiences of God’s providence in the life of our young parish priests in remote barrios amaze me. Stories of how God touched and changed the lives of members of different charismatic communities and religious organizations continue to inspire many people. All this is God’s word sprouting in different fields and conditions. Read God’s word in your life.

Third, the soil stands for our state of mind to listen and be open to God’s prodding. In the last analysis, it depends on whether we truly listen or just hear, choose to understand or simply see, and be receptive to God’s word or be passive. God does His part. Shall we do ours?

Teach your children an old adage.