“But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Mt 13:8)

In today’s gospel, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Sower.  In the parable, a sower (God) goes out and abundantly sow seeds (his message) with them landing on different types of soil (us).  The different kinds of soil on which the seed falls represent the different ways in which the word of God is received by us. The seeds sown on the “path that is eaten by the birds” represents the those who hear the word without understanding it or reject the message outright.  The seeds sown on “rocky ground with little soil” represent those that initially receive the word with joy but when difficulties arise, they lose hope and give up.  The seeds sown “among thorns that grow and eventually are choked out” represent those who hear the word but are unable to maintain their focus because they are too concerned with earthly things and cause the plant to die.  And finally, “some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” This represents those who accept the word and grow abundantly in Christ.  

Today’s gospel begs the question, “what type of soil am I?”  Do we allow God’s word to take root in the good soil of our hearts or do does his word land on rocky, shallow, or thorn-filled soil?  What do we need to do to cultivate God’s word in our lives?

 

Deacon Joe Trevino

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX