Parable of The Sower: What It Means

When the parable of the sower was discussed in the homily last Sunday, I was asking myself how many of those attending the mass were really listening? Were they concentrating on the sermon ... or was it another case of "somebody being physically present in the mass ... but mentally absent" ... because she was more focused on what to prepare for breakfast when she gets home ... before her daughter woke up.

Sadly the parable is more about someone's faith ... or how the message of the homily is being received by people. Jesus was using the parable to possibly challenge their thought processes ... “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. "

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed that was sown along the road and the birds came and eat them. They are the people who do not understand the gospel and do not accept Jesus as their Saviour.

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since the seeds have no roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes ... their faith is in question as they quickly fall away. They believe the gospel, however, they soon forget the message.  And when difficulties arise in their life, they lost their faith and easily surrender.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. The lure of riches... fame ... and power was their penultimate concern and it is difficult for them to give up these pleasures They are not fruitful because they don't have time to share the gospel and are unable to spread the good news.

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. They are diligent in putting God first. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.