Hearing and Sowing the Word

Hearing and Sowing the Word

January 30, 2013

Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

By Colleen O'Sullivan

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable?  Then how will you understand any of the parables?  The sower sows the word.  These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.  As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them.  And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.  But they have no roots; they last only for a time.  Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  Those sown among thorns are another sort.  They are the people who hear the word, but worldy anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.  But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”  (Mark 4:13-20)

Piety

May my heart be a garden, O Lord, where your Word takes root and flourishes.

Study

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus addresses the crowds with the parable of the sower.  As he tells the story, he emphasizes the work of the sower.  No matter what difficulties the sower may encounter along the way, in the end God’s Word will produce a rich harvest.  Later, alone with his disciples, he goes over the parable again, this time emphasizing the hearers of the Word.

Jesus says that some of us behave as though we are our own gods.  Our hearts are closed.  We think we don’t need God; we’re sufficient unto ourselves.  We refuse to let the Word in.  When the Evil Spirit sees we are impervious to the sowing of God’s Word, he swoops down and carries the word away.

Others of us receive the Word quite enthusiastically.  But, in the long run, we’re not able to stay the course.  We go through life trying out first one thing, then another, giving each one up the moment we are called upon to commit ourselves.  We are no different with respect to God’s Word.  Yes, we want the gift of eternal life, but the instant we realize the journey with Christ goes by way of the Cross, we’re out of there. 

Some of us take in the Word, but allow our other preoccupations and loyalties to come first.  Pretty soon God’s Word is crushed and annihilated by our desires for power, wealth, and prestige, which occupy far more time and space in our hearts than does our faith. 

Fortunately, there are also those who hear the Word, who take it to heart, who make the Word their own, and, in turn, become sowers themselves.  In these people’s lives, we see the bountiful harvest Jesus is talking about.

Action

Most of us fit all of these characterizations at one time or another.  Consider Jesus’ words to his disciples.  Do you see yourself in any of what he says with regard to this parable?  What would it take for your heart to be more receptive to the Word?  What would it take for you to become a sower yourself? 

One way to be a sower for the Lord is to sponsor someone for a Cursillo weekend.  The 136^th Women’s Weekend is coming up March 14–17 at Missionhurst.  The 126^th Men’s Weekend is scheduled for April 18-21, also at Missionhurst.  It’s not too late to sponsor a candidate for either weekend.  For more information, go to http://www.arlingtoncursillo.org/secretariat/precursillo-2/.