When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to him, he spoke in a parable. 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
9 Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 10 He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.’
11 “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. 12 Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. 14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. 15 But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.
In this passage, Jesus teaches through the parable of the sower. He tells of a farmer who scattered seed, which fell on four different types of ground. Some fell along the path, where birds quickly ate it. Some fell on rocky ground, sprouting quickly but withering because the soil was shallow. Some fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Finally, some fell on good soil, producing a rich harvest.
Jesus explains that the seed represents God’s word, and the different soils represent the various ways people respond to it. Those who hear the word but do not understand it are like the seed along the path. The evil one can come and take the word away before it can grow. Those who receive the word with joy but fall away when trials come resemble the rocky soil. Those distracted by worldly concerns or pleasures are like the thorny soil, where growth is stunted. But those who hear, understand, and hold fast to the word produce fruit, multiplying the blessings they have received.
This parable shows that hearing the word is not enough. God’s word must take root in the heart. Understanding, perseverance, and detachment from worldly distractions allow faith to flourish. The “fruit” can take many forms: love, service, patience, forgiveness, and the witness of one’s life. In this way, God’s kingdom grows not by force but by the willing openness of human hearts.
St. John Chrysostom (c. 349-407) observes that this parable teaches us the importance of personal effort in receiving God’s word: the same seed falls on every heart, yet the outcome depends on the heart’s condition. Augustine (354-430) emphasizes that grace works in the soul, but a receptive and diligent heart is necessary for that grace to bear fruit.
This teaching calls us to examine the “soil” of our hearts. Quick hearing without understanding, being easily shaken by difficulties, or allowing worldly concerns to take root can all hinder the growth of God’s word. God invites us to cultivate hearts that are open, humble, and steady, so that His word may grow and transform our lives and the lives of others.
Lord, help us to prepare our hearts as fertile soil for Your word. Give us the patience, focus, and love to hear, understand, and hold fast to Your message. May our lives bear abundant fruit for Your glory and for the good of all those we encounter. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Orchard et al. (1953).
- The Navarre Bible: Luke, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (2018).
- St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Luke, c. 390.
- St. Augustine, Sermons on Scripture, c. 400.
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