Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Sower

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mt 13: 1 – 9

Introduction

Today’s reading presents to us the parable of the sower. This parable compares God to a sower sowing the seed of his word.

The Gospel

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ² Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³ And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵ Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. ⁶ But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ Let anyone with ears listen!”

Reflection

Today’s reading is a familiar parable to many. It talks about a sower sowing seeds. But as the parable progresses, it looks more like the sower was scattering seeds rather than sowing them. The indiscriminate scattering of the seed causes the seed to fall on different soil conditions and not necessarily on soil that has been tilled and prepared. Perhaps an experienced farmer, on hearing this parable, would immediately sense the wasteful method of the sower and the lack of preparation of the soil.

But a parable is narrated precisely to make one think of a deeper reality about the mysteries of the kingdom. Like the sower in the parable, God indiscriminately scatters the seed, generously and even extravagantly scattering it everywhere and anywhere. This extravagance drives home the important point of God’s generosity in sharing his word to all. More importantly, it also points out the universality of the word which is received by anyone regardless of who they are and where they are.

But as explained by Jesus himself, the seed is the word of God. But precisely because it is the word, we have to realize that the seed is Jesus himself who is the word of God. The journey of the seed practically describes the journey of Jesus himself who is sown on earth by the Father to everyone.  As the seed fails to germinate on improper conditions, so does Jesus fail to take root and grow in a person who is not properly disposed to receive him. While it might seem that the seed becomes helpless in making itself grow on poor soil conditions, it reveals its enormous power and potential when it germinates in good soil.

            Something similar happens in our relationship with Jesus. When we are properly disposed to receive Jesus in our hearts, we grow and bear fruit. Unfortunately, Jesus dies and is choked when he has not established roots in us and when we have filled our lives with the cares and worries of the world. Not even God can force his way to grow in our hearts when we do not want to. Not even God could survive in one who shows no desire for Jesus to live and remain in one’s heart.

            The parable paints a true picture of God’s kingdom. The kingdom is announced and proclaimed to everyone. Unfortunately, not all heed the kingdom. The failure for the seed to take root and grow in many who hear the proclamation of God’s kingdom is true and real. But at the same time, this parable also tells us, that despite the kingdom’s failure to take root in the hearts of many, there are those who receive it gladly and openly. These people who receive the kingdom eventually bear fruit and create a rich bountiful harvest.

This parable is quite realistic in portraying both the rejection and acceptance of God’s kingdom.  But it is also optimistic in its outlook because, in the face of the seed’s failure in some quarters, the sower at the end, still enjoys a harvest for the work that he has done. In the end, the sower may have been justified for his extravagant and lavish scattering of the seed because his work yielded a rich harvest despite the failure of some seeds to germinate and grow. Such perhaps is the optimism of the kingdom. No failure nor real set backs could upset the optimism there is at the final outcome of God’s work. God triumphs at the end. This triumph at the very end should give us an optimistic outlook at the entire world order inspite of man’s refusal and rejection of God.  While man may have all the free will to refuse and reject God’s reign on earth, God’s goodness and mercy and promise of abundance will eventually triumph in the end.

For us who want to heed God’s call, let us accept Jesus in our hearts and let him take over our lives so he can take root and bear fruit in us. Let us pray that we not be discourage at our failures especially when overcome by the worries and cares of the world, or when we know that the Lord is not taking root in our lives. Let us allow the sower to till and prepare the soil of our hearts so that the seed that he sows may take root and bear fruit abundantly.

Prayer

Divine Sower, till and prepare the soil of my soul so that when the day comes for you to scatter the seeds of your kingdom, I may be prepared to receive the seed of your Word and let it take root in my heart. Amen.

“ The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” – 2 Cor 9: 6