Scripture
This is another parable about seeds and God’s bounty. The
Sower doesn’t seem to care that some of the seed falls on less than optimal
ground.
3And he told them many things in parables, saying:
‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the
path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky
ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since
they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and
since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among
thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good
soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some
thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!’
18 ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. 19When
anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one
comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the
path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears
the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet such a person has no
root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on
account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22As for what was
sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the
world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23But
as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and
understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold,
in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23, also Mark
4:3-8, 13-20, Luke 8:5-8, 13-15)
In the verses that are missing in the middle, Jesus explains
that parables are for the disciples to know the secrets of the kingdom
of heaven [because] this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are
hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look
with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart
and turn—and I would heal them.
I love the Elizabeth Barrett Browning quote illustrated in
this graphic. The Parable of the Sower and Seeds speaks of the generosity of
God spreading the seed of the Kingdom everywhere. The warning, perhaps, is to
be aware of how our own heart has grown dull, and ears deaf so that
we don’t see that the Kingdom is everywhere. We can be too busy ‘picking
blackberries’ that we miss the real grace.
Conversation starters
When we plant a garden we are usually very careful about how
we do it. We prepare the soil and make neat rows. The Sower in the parable
seems very casual and even foolish in the planting.
In religious work we also tend to be very careful how we do
it. We make sure all our plans are in place before we plant a church or start a
ministry.
How might we act differently if we were more like the Sower?
The Sower casts the seed widely. What might that encourage us to do with our gifts and ministry?
Action Item
