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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A sower went out to sow his seed

A sower went out to sow his seed

Published Sep 18, 2021 12:05 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Reflections today

The parable is meant to teach about farming or sowing. Jesus tells it to show that God’s word (the seed) can only grow and bear fruit in the measure that our hearts (the soil) are ready or prepared to receive it. This is very easy to see in day-to-day life. When we do not listen or refuse to listen and open our hearts and minds to what is spoken to us (by our parents, teachers, et al.) the message does not have a chance to grow in our hearts. On the other hand, if we are willing to listen and open ourselves to the seeds of advice, instruction that is given us, they will bear fruit of wisdom, strength, and faith in our lives.

GOSPEL • LUKE 8:4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “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. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 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.” Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 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.

“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. 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. 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 temptation. 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. 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.”

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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