Jesus said to his disciples, "Hear then the parable of the sower. The 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.
The seed sown on rocky ground is the who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulations or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The 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.
But 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."
The Word in other words
Jesus proclaimed His teaching to people in agricultural villages. They were then acquainted with the different kinds of soil on which farmers would strew the seed. Hence, when He told them about the different kinds of people who would receive His word, he readily used the parable of the sower.
A person who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it is like a road where the seed can not grow; animals easily steal and run away with it. The second type of soil is the rocky ground where the seed cannot take roots initially with joy but, like "fair and weather friends," one the tempest of tribulation, persecution or suffering comes they immediately fall away.
The third type of soil is full of thorns. Just as the thorns choke the plants, so the thorns of worldly anxiety and alluring riches chose those who accept the word spinelessly. They may have understood the word but they do not have that faith in God and trust in His loving care enough to overcome temptations and resist worldly enticements.
The fourth kind of soil is the rich soil where the seed will grow, take root, and bear much fruit. This is the image of a person who receives the Lord's teaching, understands and reflects on it, interiorizes it and makes it a part of his life.
To which image of a soil do we fit it? Are we like a footpath where the seed can not take roots? Or like the rocky ground where the word is received without conviction? Or like the ground with thorns which chokes our faith with worldly cares and endless anxiety? Or are we like the rich soil which grasps His word with our whole being equipped with a faith firmly grounded on reason? Our trust in His unconditional love and fatherly care is the anchor that keeps us steady and at peace in the midst o the trials and tribulations of this life.
- Fr. Ernesto Lagura, SVD (USC, Cebu City)
