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Readings for July 10,2011
The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:1-23
The parable of the sower is found today's Gospel and in all three of the synoptic gospels: Matthew 13:4-23; Mark 4:1-20; and Luke 8:4-15.
Jesus offers the story of the sower spreading seed all about and the varying ability of the seed to grow. Unlike most of his other parables, he offers an explanation. The sower is not sowing actual seed but metaphorical seed-the word. A farmer would not indiscriminately throw seed everywhere but only in areas it would grow and bear fruit. Yet this sower spreads the seed far and wide. Throwing the seed away or hoping to plant it everywhere?
This seed, the word, is intended for us and we receive it in various ways. Some of us do not hear the word, some hear but do not comprehend, some hear yet do not believe, some allow worldly pleasures to distract us and some hear, believe and follow the word.
It would be simple if we heard only one message or at least one message at a time; then we could reflect on it and respond. We, and the follower of Jesus, are bombarded with messages trying to get our attention. Some should not take root in us and some should bear fruit.
How do we know which is which? Mark offers (4:33-34) that Jesus "spoke the word to them, as far as they were capable of understanding. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone." While we don't have Jesus to make the symbolism of the parables concrete, we can reflect on them. Perhaps the beauty of a parable is the struggle we have to understand it. God had given the Ten Commandments to Moses and us, clear, concise rules, yet they were ignored. By wrestling with the parables, we can reach the truth and then follow it.
The word is calling us to change from the metaphorical seed to a plant that bears fruit. As the seed, we need to spilt open the word, seek nourishment to grow, move from the earth's darkness to sun light and continue changing by forming branches, leaves, flowers and fruit.
This is not an easy task just as following God's word is not easy. Yet the soil, the sun and rain are there to support the plant's growth. So too, God's love, in its many forms is there to help us grow as followers of Jesus.
Prayer: Whoever has ears ought to hear, Lord open my ears and heart that I may hear and follow you .
Further thoughts: this week's psalm spoke of how God has "visited the land and watered it...drenching its furrows". Many people both in our area and in other sections of our country have been more than drenched. Many farmers have not been able to plant their crops. Please remember them in your prayers as they work to return to their home and life as they'd experienced it before all the rains.
Anne Murphy is a chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. She has been a board certified chaplain for thirty years and has a Doctorate in Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary.
She is honored to share her reflections with you.
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