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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A sower went out to sow

A sower went out to sow

Published Jul 23, 2024 06:02 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

In the first-century Palestine, there were various practices of planting. One is described in the Gospel—that of plowing after sowing. In the process, some seed is lost because it has no good soil or is choked by thorns. But in the end, the harvest far compensates for the loss. 


The sowing affords an abundant harvest, contrary to all expectations. This is a picture of Jesus’ work of ushering in the Kingdom. He meets many obstacles, but ultimately he achieves success which far outweighs any failure. In the interpretation of the parable, whether by Jesus himself or by the early Christians, the seed is “the word” (Mk 4:14). 


The “seed” of the farming story is the “word of God” in the realization of God’s purpose in Jesus’ ministry. The meaning is grounded in the story of Israel where Yahweh is active in creation and in salvation by the power of his word. The prophets, in a special way, were the bearers of the word of God. But the word of God is spoken in its fullness and finality by Jesus (Heb 1:1-2) who discloses and brings to fruition the divine purpose. How do you listen to God’s word? With skepticism? Or with a “generous and good heart”?
 

Gospel • Matthew 13:1-9 


On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: 


“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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