Fr Bonnie Inspirations

A famous quote from Robert Louis Stevenson says: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” As powerful as that quote is, one still needs to consider where the seeds are planted because there is a possibility of having a good seed but poor soil. So, we may respectfully add to Stevenson’s quote, “You judge each day by the seed you plant and the soil you choose in the process.” Where you sow has a lot to do with the harvest you make! 

In the Gospel Reading of this fifteenth Sunday (Matthew 13:1-23), our Lord Jesus Christ, sitting by the sea of Galilee, tells a huge crowd the famous parable of the Sower or, more appropriately as it appeals to us here, the parable of the soils.

In the parable, our Lord talks about a Sower who went out to sow by randomly scattering the seeds over a landscape. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the path and had the misfortune of being eaten by birds of the air. Next, some fell on rocky ground where insufficient soil did not allow them to have depth, and the sun scorched them to death.

Furthermore, some of the seeds fell among thorns. Though the soil was initially good, helping them germinate, the thorns frustrated their further growth and fruitiness. Finally, some seeds fell on rich soil and had all the necessary helpful conditions for fruitfulness.

 Unlike most parables that Jesus left unexplained, Jesus explained the major components of the parable this way: The seed is the word of God. The Sower is God. The soils represent four different types of hearts that receive the word of God. The birds represent the devil who comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

The Four Types of Christians In the context of the interpretation of the parable, our Lord Jesus Christ indicated that the four different types of soils in the parable represent the four different types of hearts that receive the word of God. We shall examine the real meaning of the Word of God before looking at the resonance with the four types of Christians:

The Word of God: At the beginning of the Gospel of John (1:1), we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

If we read further in the Chapter, we will see where it is written, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We see clearly from the passages above that the Word of God sown by the Sower (God the Father) is Jesus Christ (God the Son). This becomes clearer in John (3:16), which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave (sowed) His only Son so that everyone (soil or heart) who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”   

Roadside Christians: In the parable, our Lord mentioned that some seeds fell on the pathway (roadside) and were carried away by birds (the evil one). In line with the parable, roadside Christians refer to those without commitment to their Christian life. Such individuals know little or nothing about the Christian faith and do not try to know.

  St. Paul summarized the disposition of this category of Christians in his letter to the Ephesians (4:18), where he said that they have their understanding darkened and are alienated from the life of God due to the ignorance that is at work in them due to the darkness of their hearts. Their major problem is ignorance, and consequently, they do not bear fruits.

Superficial (Topsoil) Christians: While explaining this type of ground, our Lord mentioned that they hear and receive the Word with Joy, but that is on the surface as there is no depth. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ was referring to this category of Christians when he quoted the prophecy of Isaiah (29:13), “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matt. 15:8),

Superficial or Topsoil Christians refer to those who are highly emotional about their faith in Jesus Christ. They are ready to shout, cry, and make declarations and promises but lose everything in the face of trials and attacks.

Distracted Christians: The greatest challenge to the human mind is distraction. Distraction is the reason many projects are badly executed or abandoned. Distraction often precedes failure. 

The problem with the third category, according to the parable, was not the soil but the thorns within the ambiance of the good soil; in other words, the social environment. The things we allow in and around us can help or hinder us.

In explaining this parable, our Lord mentioned that this soil category receives the seeds, but they fail to bear fruits because of worldly anxiety and the lure of riches. The apostle John (1 John 2:16) captured three elements that distract Christians, “the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride in riches.” 

Fruitful Christians: The Christian life is unreal without fruits. Our Lord Jesus Christ once said (John 15:16), “You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last so that the Father will give you whatever you ask Him in my name.”

Notice that the difference between the fourth category of soil and the first three is fruitfulness. What God desires to see in us is not how colorful we appear as Christians but our fruitfulness. Recall that our Lord Jesus Christ cursed a tree because it had no fruits though there were leaves (Mark 11:13-14).

One may be in error to think that the good soil did not have challenges; no! The truth is that the fruitfulness came out of persistence and sacrifice. Fruits do not come by accident; they are products of intentional commitment. 

Moving Forward: Produce Fruits, Not Titles 

There are more titles in Christianity scattered through various denominations in the world than in any other religion. The truth is that titles have no transforming spiritual relevance beyond identification if the bearers do not produce fruits.

Furthermore, being a Christian or knowing Jesus Christ without a corresponding productive Christian disposition will amount to nothing. Recall that Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt.7:21).

The First Reading (Isaiah 55:10-11) tells us that the word that comes forth from the mouth of God shall not return to Him void but shall fulfill the end for which it is sent. Question, “Of what relevance is the Word of God that comes to you? What kind of soil or Christian are you? Remember that there is one true Christian, the fruitful one; by their fruits, you shall know them (Matt. 7:20).

God bless You.

Fr. Bonnie.