Today’s gospel is about the parable of the sower. The word parable derives from the Greek word “paravoli” which means to throw alongside. It is also related to the English word “parallel” which usually describes similar things laid side by side. In other words, in the parable the earthly story runs side-by-side with the heavenly message contained within. This makes it easier to understand the depth of meaning and the real message conveyed by the teller as it works through the imagination and understanding of the listener, arousing their conscience to understand the meaning of the gospel.

Jesus was an educator. Jesus was a master teacher. His mission on earth was to make us understand about the kingdom of heaven and what it means to be truly Christian. He told us how we were to live and the purpose of our life. Throughout his ministry he preached to the masses, his disciples, the damaged, the sinful, the oppressed and the forsaken about how they could transform their lives in this world and prepare themselves for the next. Jesus was the greatest example of a teacher because he taught about real and authentic life to those who were prepared to listen. In the 13th chapter of Matthew’s gospel his disciples ask Jesus “why do you speak in parables”. In his answer Christ says that he speaks in parables because if he speaks to his listeners directly then they would not understand because they had grown dull, their ears had become hard of hearing and their eyes closed off. So, if he appealed to their heart, then their heart may listen and turn to him so they could be healed and their lives transformed. In other words, by telling to the earthly story of the sower in this parable, Christ would lead his listeners to a greater truth of the heavenly message.

So, what is the message of the sower? We are told that a sower went out to sow his seed. Some of the seed fell by the wayside where it was trampled and the birds of the air devoured it. Some seed fell on rock and died because of a lack of moisture. Some seed fell amongst thorns and the thorns sprang up and choked it. However, some fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop of a hundredfold.

Clearly, this parable is about far more than planting a crop. Any farmer would tell you that your field has to be properly prepared to receive the crop and diligently protected from all pests such as birds so that a bountiful harvest could be obtained. And, when Christ gives the explanation to his disciples the message becomes clearer: the seeds falling on the wayside fall under the spell of the devil and they are lost. The seeds falling on rock cannot establish themselves and believe for a while however in time of temptation they also fall away. The seeds that fall amongst the thorns are choked with the cares of riches and pleasures of this world and also are lost. However, the seeds that falls on the good Earth bring forth much reward thus making the entire endeavour worthwhile – to the farmer who has a bountiful harvest and to the earth that has produced such harvest. St John Chrysostom identifies the seed as being the work of Christ in his ministry on earth, the ground as being the souls of all humanity, and the sower as being Christ himself.

The question must be asked now: Why would Christ sow his seed where he knew it would produce no crop? The answer suggested is that Christ does not differentiate between the wise and the silly, the lazy and the diligent, the rich and the poor in any way. His word is free to all and it is how we react to that word which determines the crop that we bring forward in the name of Christ.

Now some may say that they have not prepared their fields as diligent as they could have and that it is now too late. Fear not, it is never too late. St John Chrysostom points out that within our hearts it is possible to change the rock, the wayside and the thorns into fertile ground for within the human heart each one of us is capable of converting ourselves into fields that are capable of bringing forth much fruit. So, even at this late stage it is possible to attain a better understanding of who you are and what your purpose in life is if you are prepared to listen and receive the word of God. God freely gives to everybody. The seed is plentifully cast. It is a viable seed and each seed is capable of bringing much fruit. Whether we listen, and through listening, do, is up to each one of us. Therefore, if we are prepared, each one of us is capable of changing from being a wayside, unproductive rock, or land choked with thorns, to a rich and fertile field.

But what does this obliges us to do? Listen carefully to the words of Christ “the ones (seeds) that fell on the good ground are those who have heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Therefore, firstly we must hear the word. Unless we stop and listen we cannot hope for any reward. Just as Christ, the supreme teacher, taught freely, his teaching would have been in vain if it was not listened to. Secondly, we must listen with the right phronema. Unless we listen attentively and rightly then we have not really listened. Thirdly, we must keep the teaching in mind. It is no good learning something simply to forget it. Lastly, and most importantly, we must have patience. Patience is the ability to endure waiting, delay, or to endure provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, and to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. St James tells us to “therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the Earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and the latter rains.”

One of the hardest lessons to learn in life is patience. Patience demands vigilance, perseverance, endurance and above all commitment. Patience means that each of us tend to our field of the heart, lovingly cultivating it, removing the rocks of indifference, burning away the weeds that would rob us of commitment, and lovingly tilling the soil with vigilance and perseverance until it becomes an eager vessel for the seed of the sower. We know if we persevere we will succeed. We know that if we are committed with an open heart and with patience we will achieve. After all, in life we need a model of loving commitment to follow, and we have this from the master teacher, namely our lord Jesus Christ. Amen.