The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower

Today's Reflections

 

                               

 

     

The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower 

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Mt 13:18-23

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ¹⁸ “Hear then the parable of the sower. ¹⁹The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. ²⁰The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. ²¹But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. ²²The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. ²³But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Reflection:

Hear then the parable of the sower. Jesus himself explains his parable, indicating that the fruitfulness of the word, and the success of the sower, depends not only on them but on the kind of listener who receives the word. In the end, the word will certainly meet with people who understand the word, take it to heart, and put it into practice. These last produce abundant fruit.

We can ask what kind of soil we are. Are we like the path that does not allow the word to sink in? Are we like the rocky ground that is ningas-kugon (enthusiastic, but for a while only)? Are we like the soil with thorns that accepts the truth of the word but finds it impractical when problems and opposition come? Or are we like the rich soil that understands and practices the word?

“Inner silence is necessary to listen

to the Word of God, to experience his presence,

to hear God’s call” (Pope Paul VI).