As we continue reflecting on the sower, we wonder why the seeds, Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God, fail or
prosper.
God provides abundantly, sowing the seeds on all the ground, inviting all to co-create in the Kingdom and share in the divine life. Some reject it
outright, some receive it and later reject it, and then some accept it, reflect on it, treasure it, and put it into practice by living God’s word. What are the obstacles to receiving the message?
The seed on the side of the path: the ‘unfruitful soil’ is a lack of understanding, with the obstacle to belief being the evil one
The seed sown on patches of rock: the ‘unfruitful soil’ is superficiality, with the obstacle to belief being tribulation or persecution, the flesh
The seed sown in the thorns: the ‘unfruitful soil’ is division within one’s self, with the obstacle to belief being worldly cares and desire for wealth.
Indifferent responses to the word prove to be unfruitful. There are times or occasions when we all have patches of infertile soil, lack of understanding, superficiality and division within ourselves. And there are times when our soil is rich and fruitful. We are all paths, rocks, thorns or good soil to some degree. Do I seek to receive God’s Word? How can I be more open to Jesus’
teaching?
Jesus’ quote from Isaiah (6: 9-10) tells us that it may be difficult to understand what Jesus means, “For the heart of this nation has grown
coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes.” The parable may, therefore, invite the humble and faithful but be obstructed by the proud. However, it ends “and be converted, and be healed by me.” Jesus longs for us all to receive his teaching about the Kingdom.
Will we try to respond by first hearing God’s word? We will call this the ‘mind’ step, which involves listening attentively to Scripture and reading it so that we receive it. Secondly, we reflect on and treasure it, a ‘heart’ step. We consider the implications of this word for our lives. Thirdly, by putting it into
practice, we act on God’s word, which we have received and treasured. We might call this the ‘soul’ step: living God’s word within the depths of me.
Will I open my
mind, heart and soul to God’s word?
The parable is intended to wake me up. Will I pause to hear what it is saying to me?
Do my values, attitudes, and behaviour reflect God’s love?
What obstacles
stand in my way of hearing Jesus’ teaching?
Reflections by Kath Knowles
