Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
9 Let anyone with ears listen!” 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Bearing Fruit Bountifully
Sitting at the lakeside where we think the Lord delivered this parable, we can admire how He uses the natural elements in His teaching. He includes the land, the topography, the plants, the trees and their fruit, the birds and the lilies of the field to teach those who were coming to Him and His disciples.
Looking around, we can see a parcel of fertile land, a thorny area, a rocky hill and the famous Via Maris (Way of the Sea). Seeing these things helped the crowd understand the message, abide by its concepts, enjoy the theory, and accept its principles.
Today’s Gospel invites us not to judge what kind of field other people are, but to objectively search our inner, personal conscience and perceptions to determine which of these fields that the Lord describes am I?
He certainly would like me to be the fertile field, producing excellent fruit and yielding the best! He remains with us, willing to offer His loving care and assisting hand to help us reach that level of Christian commitment. He has the power to fertilize my soul into a rich and fruitful soil.
Hopefully this reflection and meditation will lead us to see with His eyes, love with His heart, and give Him my hand with full trust and goodwill. I wish you and yours a
Blessed Sunday and blessed fruits of faith and commitment!