Parable of the sower’s relevance

by Letters Editor · Published July 28, 2011 · Updated November 15, 2016

From Anthony J Sturges, Johannesburg

I was amazed at the relevance of the parable of the sower, which we read recently at Sunday Mass, to contemporary Catholic society. It speaks of our receptivity to the wisdom and truths of God.

It begs the question: Have we cultivated that frame of mind in which we would be receptive to the meaning of the Gospel – are we spiritually prepared?

Do we really listen or is our mind far off on some thought-safari? Indeed many who appear to listen, ask: What was it I just heard? To paraphrase the Lord: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

There are many ways of focusing on this parable, but for me it is in identifying the sower as Christ himself, who sows the seeds of the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven; the seeds falling on differing ground, each yielding (or not!) a harvest as allowed by the fruitfulness of that ground.

Those who listen and take what’s said to heart are those who yield the fruits of the kingdom in abundance. We need to focus on the soil of our soul and ask the question have we prepared ourselves sufficiently to understand, to take up the good news, the Gospel of Christ?

I find this particular focal point to be most poignant, especially in light of his statement: Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

A definite responsibility on our part as followers of Christ is implied here. It’s pointless listening to the Word, however it’s heard, if that seed falls on an arid heart.

Good farmers know that an abundant crop requires a fertile soil; it needs watering, fertilising and tilling. Thus the seed that falls outside of fertile soil is fruitless, carried away by the guile of those whose purpose is worldly, choked on the weeds of worldly desires or withered by the lack of spiritual foundation blossoming for a while but inevitably fading away when faced with any test.

Yet, he who yearns after the ways of the kingdom, whose heart is imperfect but open to God’s healing Word, will learn, understand and grow spiritually, producing an abundance of the love and charity which our Lord so eagerly desires.

Are you prepared for your next encounter with the Word of God?