The Parable of the Sower

Today's Reflections 

      

The Parable of the Sower

Mt 13:1-9

¹[One] day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. ²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. ³And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, ⁶and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. ⁷Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. ⁸But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. ⁹Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

THE KINGDOM WILL PRODUCE FRUITS DESPITE THE OBSTACLES. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the power of the seed to sprout even in the rocky Palestinian soil. But why does the farmer sow the seed on a footpath, rocky ground, and among thorns? Actually, it is a normal practice in Palestine to sow the seed before and not after plowing; the purpose of plowing is to cover the seed with soil that is less stony and arid.

In this sense, the parable teaches that despite the aridity of the soil, the heat, and the thorns that suffocate the plant, there will still be a plentiful harvest at the end. The word of God (the seed) will attain its purpose despite the forces that will block it, coming from the devil and the weakness of human beings.

Reflecting on this simple parable, the early Christians drew parallels from their experience of living the teachings of Jesus. The birds that eat the seed on the ground are like the devil’s temptations that eat away at the faith implanted in the heart. The persecution and hardship that accompany the acceptance of the Gospel have prevented converts from persevering. But the harvest will nonetheless be abundant on account of generous souls who provide a fertile ground for God’s kingdom. They make up for the failures of others.

Jesus teaches his disciples that the establishment of God’s rule on earth does not come automatic. His preaching and theirs will not instantly transform the hearts of everyone. The Gospel has the inner power to transform all human activity, but it must be welcomed in faith and nourished even in the midst of weakness and tribulation. Preachers of the word should not get discouraged at the “failures,” just as the farmer does not stop sowing the seed just because part of what he sows will be lost.

There are Christians who are choked by the hunger for power and wealth, or those who easily forget their faith amidst trials. But in the Church and the kingdom that Jesus has established, many other Christians and saints stand firm in their faith; they hear the word of God and bear much fruit.