Therefore hear the parable of the sower

 

 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is he who received seed by the wayside.  But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces:  some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

 

- Matthew 13:18–23 

 

In our recent readings, the lectionary has taken us through the Gospel of St. Matthew, and into the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7).  This week, Ascension Day occurs on Thursday (in the Western and Armenian Apostolic Churches; for the Eastern Orthodox, it is Thursday next week).  So, the lectionary begins preparing us for the celebration of Christ's Ascension, after which we'll continue reading the final verses of the Sermon on the Mount.  Yesterday we began reading in chapter 13, when Jesus starts to preach in parables.  We read that Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.  And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying:  "Behold, a sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.  Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.  But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.  But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop:  some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"  He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:  'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.'  But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

 

  "Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is he who received seed by the wayside.  But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces:  some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."  We should keep in mind that Jesus is explaining the parable of the Sower (see yesterday's reading, above) in private to His disciples.  At this stage in His ministry, He has begun to preach in parables as "great multitudes" begin to gather to Him.  There are so many coming to hear Him and see Him that He must sit in a boat off the shore while the people gather on shore to hear Him.  So, we can assume that by now He is speaking to large gatherings of people that include much more than disciples.  There are no doubt those who are curious, or who come to see Him for His reputation of healing and miraculous cures and the casting out of demons.  By now it is likely also that He has gained a reputation as one who has been in conflict with the religious authorities, and that no doubt also draws people to hear Him.  However we might frame this beginning of Christ's preaching in parables, it comes to people in such a way that the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" are hidden within the story, the parables made by taking elements of daily life in order to illustrate the workings of the kingdom of heaven.  As Jesus has explained to His disciples in yesterday's reading (see above), He wants to draw those with spiritual eyes and ears, the ones who truly desire what He offers, and thus speaks in parables.  

 

This parable, like the rest of them which Christ teaches in this chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, is an illustration of the workings of the kingdom of heaven.   As He indicates, He's the Sower who sows the seeds.  We may think of this poetically, as the Word Himself (John 1:1), He sows the gospel message.  That is, He casts the seeds out, the words He teaches and preaches, and all the things He does in His ministry in the fullness of His message.  What kind of ground will these seeds -- His words and teachings -- fall upon?  We are the ground.  Or rather, the interior lives we lead determine the ground.  Is our heart receptive?  Are we capable of hearing and seeing the things of spirit and soul He offers?  Do we really want it?  In my personal experience, we each may go through the stages Jesus describes at any time in our lives, but He's illustrating what receptiveness and a true heart that grasps what He offers can do.  Not everyone is going to receive at all times, and the evil one is busy trying to distract us constantly and snatch away what's been sown in the heart.  A stony heart, one that understands with difficulty because of a lack of attunement to this kind of message, may feel joy in hearing His word for awhile, but when difficulty comes it's so much easier to walk in a different way and forget.  And then there's another kind of obstacle and distraction.  Jesus frames this as "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches."  These things choke the word inside, as we become consumed and even frazzled through the pursuit of things outside of ourselves that will not reap the same blessings of the Kingdom (about which Jesus has been preaching in the Sermon on the Mount; see, for example, the Beatitudes).  Such a person neglects the fruit of the Spirit because their lives are "choked" -- crowded with other things.  His explanation concludes, "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces:  some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."   And this is what Christ is looking for, the disciples He is calling even through His parables.  Can we receive it?  Can we understand who He is and what kind of redemption He's offering?  It's so easy to be distracted, to be "choked" by other things.  Perhaps today -- especially in the prosperous and technologically developed parts of the world -- we are more distracted than ever.  But everywhere there may also be tribulation or persecution!  Let us pray for all, and live our faith.

 

 

 

 

Therefore hear the parable of the sower

 

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is he who received seed by the wayside.  But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces:  some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

 

- Matthew 13:18-23 

 

As we began chapter 13 of St. Matthew's Gospel, Jesus began a new kind of preaching.  He gave the parable of the Sower to the crowds.  (See Tuesday's reading.)  Yesterday, we read that following His giving of this parable, the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"  He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:  'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull.  Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.'  But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

 

 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is he who received seed by the wayside.  But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces:  some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."  In today's reading, Jesus explains in detail to the disciples the meaning of the parable of the Sower.  

 

Jesus explains: "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is he who received seed by the wayside."  In yesterday's commentary, we discussed the "two ways" found in the teachings of both Judaism and Christianity, and how Christ's words exemplified aspects of this understanding.  Here, He seems to give us hints regarding His words (in yesterday's reading) teaching about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and those who have been given to understand, contrasted with those who haven't.  He said, "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."  Here He gives us an insight into how such wisdom works:  when people are exposed to the teachings of Christ regarding the kingdom, and they do not understand it, the wicked one comes and snatches away the word that was sown in the heart.  Without our capacity for spiritual sight and hearing, the "wicked one," the devil, is able to leave us empty, to take away the good word we've been given.  Our lack of understanding, in this picture that Jesus gives us, leaves us vulnerable to the effects of evil and its active presence in our world.  Thus, we lose "even what we have" when we fail to grasp Christ's words.  We might presume, or so it seems, regarding Christ's statement to the disciples in yesterday's reading, that God is at work in this process.  He said to the disciples that "it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given."  Who is the Giver?  Why is something given to one, and not to another?  We must presume, therefore, that this giving and understanding (or receiving) is a kind of two-way street or effect, a synergistic reality that involves both God and the reception of the human being.  We don't know why something is given to one and not the other.  Equally mysterious, do we know why one understands and another does not?  We should recall that the words of Isaiah quoted by Jesus indicate a hardness of heart, a dullness created by habits of not caring, not paying attention, not seeking to understand.    Repentance, also, plays a strong hand in such matters of understanding, because repentance indicates a turning toward God, not simply regret or recognition of past mistakes. In repentance, we seek to place ourselves on the road toward Christ.  And so, we go into the parable of the Sower, and the word sown by Him.  How does that word take root within us?  What kind of soil do we need to provide for it?  And how do we get that, prepare it, fertilize it, make good things grow?  How do we take that word to heart, consider it precious, nurture it?  Do we treasure the word He offers, and what it means for us to be capable of living it?  We have to truly desire it.  This is the spiritual life the Word offers to us, as He sows His gospel of the kingdom of heaven.  Let us seek to produce the good crops He asks of us, a hundredfold, maybe sixty, even thirty.

 

 

 

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves

 

 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.  For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.  Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But he who endures to the end will be saved.  When they persecute you in this city, flee to another.  For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

 

- Matthew 10:16-23 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus  sent out the Twelve on their first apostolic mission, He and commanded them, saying:  "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.  Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  And when you go into a household, greet it.  If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it.  But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" 

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."  My study Bible says that Jesus instructs the disciples to be wise as serpents so that they might not be unnecessarily wounded and that they might take all advantage in the spread of the gospel.  He also tells them to be as harmless as doves so that they should not retaliate against those who do them wrong, and should be blameless in their witness of the gospel.  

"But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.  For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.  Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But he who endures to the end will be saved.  When they persecute you in this city, flee to another.  For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."  Let us note how Jesus does not at all promise an easy time for the spread of the gospel!  Let us note that for Jesus the emphasis is on testimony.  He tells them, "Do not worry" about what they will testify, and emphasizes the need for reliance upon God -- and here we have mention of the Spirit.  Finally, He emphasizes endurance through all, even if they are hated by all "for My name's sake."  My study Bible comments that persecution must not cause the disciple to quit, but simply to move forward in mission.  According to St. John Chrysostom, before the Son of Man comes is not a reference to His Second Coming, but it means that before the disciples could visit all the cities in Palestine, He would rejoin them -- thus more quickly ending the hostilities they would encounter.

Let us note the things that Christ emphasizes.  There will be opposition to the spread of the gospel, and not only that, but the opposition will be highly personal.  In the Letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul writes:  "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).  What this suggests to me is the depth to which our commitment to Christ will ask of us to make choices, and open the door to those who oppose.  We can't underestimate possible opposition -- Jesus goes so far as to use the word "hate" when He says that "you will be hated by all for My name's sake."  He does not mince words when speaking of the opposition to come, nor of the endurance which will be necessary, and our complete reliance upon God.  I find that these remain words to live by, as there are circumstances in life which remain unpredictable and chaotic.  To be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" is prudent, strong advice for those who are like "sheep in the midst of wolves."  Because we are His sheep, we must not conflate God's power with the kind of worldly power we associate with worldly kingdoms.  God does not go out to conquer the world in order to obtain "all the kingdoms of the world and their glory" (Matthew 4:8).  Indeed, this is one of the temptations of the devil to Jesus as He began His ministry, right after His Baptism by John the Baptist.  No, the word of God wields a different power, one that is not obvious, just as the coming of the Kingdom is not obvious (Luke 17:20-21).  This is why, although we understand there is evil working in the world, we follow Christ's instructions here, and we must still keep them in mind.  For there is a power at work in all things, even in the midst of persecutions, that works as an opportunity to testify.  In Luke's Gospel, Jesus puts these sayings in the context of His teaching on the end times, and again speaks of persecution as an occasion for testimony (see Luke 21:7-19).  Sometimes, as Christ advises, we may also need to flee from persecution to continue the work of discipleship and apostleship.  Let us simply note that, regardless of our circumstances in life, Jesus speaks for us all here concerning the work of discipleship. Even if we are not sent out as apostles, to follow these admonitions in His commandments is to live the life we are meant to live:  we follow His commands, we don't forget and don't remain asleep to the presence of evil in the world.  But neither do we seek out conflict or enemies, because the Cross remains our ultimate weapon and the power of God at work in His word and His truth.  Let us continue our own journey in contemplation of His words and how true they are, even in our own time and circumstance, no matter how far or how long a distance separates us from His time and place when these words were spoken. They remain true for us now (Matthew 24:35).