The Parable of the Sower

The Sower, van Gogh (1889)

Today's Gospel is one we are all quite familiar with - The Parable of the Sower. Matthew's depiction is taken from the 13th Chapter of Matthew which has been called the parabolic discourse because it contains seven different parables.

According to the commentary in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (RSV), the parable demonstrates "how indifferent responses to the word of the kingdom (13:19) prove unfruitful (CCC 29)." On the flip side of this, the responsive heart bears bountiful fruit (13:23).

This seems to me to be consistent with our focus on Learn, Live and Share. What I mean is that most of us follow this pattern. First encounter Christ through some type of conversion experience. If we are properly disposed, this in turn leads us to seek out spiritual formation. As we are formed in the faith, we are moved to bear fruit, to evangelize. This parallels the experience outlined in Pope Paul VI's encyclical, Ecclesiam Suam: awareness, renewal and dialogue.

As we reflect on today's Gospel, we should consider what we are doing to bear fruit. Furthermore, we should also contemplate the ways we can make ourselves more available to God's Word.

I'll close with a thought from St. Josemaria Escriva:

The sower went out to sow, to scatter the seed at all the crossroads of this earth. What a blessed task we have. We have the job of making sure that in all the circumstances of time and place the word of God takes root, springs up and bears fruit. (The Forge, 970)

For further reading:
The Sower and the Seeds, Joe Catholic
Farming the Seeds of Faith, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio
Understand Your Catholic Faith or Lose It, Father John Hardon, S.J.

Please enjoy this flash video that portrays the parable in a simple, but striking way.