Matthew 13:1-9 - The Parable of the Sower (15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 13, 2014).

Gospel:

1 On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.

3 And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.  5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, 6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots.  7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.  8 But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

9 Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Gospel Trivia:

There is already an explanation of the meaning of this parable in the verses that follow the Gospel passage, specifically in verses Matthew 13:18-23.  This is also a very familiar parable, and one that has been expounded in many homilies and preachings.

I only add the following nuances that may help deepen our understanding:

- the parable presents a series of increasing failures: first the seed is destroyed, then the young blade, and finally the grown plant;

- yet, all these are inconsequential given the success at the end: a hundredfold, sixty, or thirty-fold.  (Incidentally, some biblical scholars highlight that the average yield of a seed in Palestinian soil is about 7 to 8, so Jesus is quoting extraordinary numbers).

- this parable is located in that part of the Matthew's gospel which follows the mounting opposition to the preachings of Jesus and his disciples, and reflects the challenges and failures faced by them

Thus, this is a highly optimistic gospel; that the Kingdom would face challenges but will nevertheless prevail.  Nothing can subvert the triumph of the will of God to redeem and love all of humankind.  The parable also reflects the notion that the triumph of the Kingdom of God can only be had through failures, difficulties and challenges.

Reference:


- Nil Guillemette, SJ, Parables for Today (Makati: St. Paul's Publications, 1987), pp. 26-30.