Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 21 But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22 The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. 23 But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Failure to understand the word of the Kingdom results from a failure to accept the word in one’s heart. Doubt or rejection is placed there by the evil one, but Jesus has power over the evil one (Mk. 1:27) so it is the choice of the one hearing the word to accept or reject it. If we accept the word, we are to accept it totally, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Mt. 16:24). We should not let any hardship or anxiety turn us away from accepting the word and following Jesus (Lk. 21:36). The good disciple is the one who loves God with his whole heart (Deut. 6:5), perseveres, and bears fruit for the kingdom (Col. 1:23). If we do not yield fruit for the Kingdom of God it is because of a defect in our love of God, a defect in our heart. It is the inner disposition of our heart that determines the outcome. We are to make a commitment to the word despite doubts, persecution and challenges, or the cares and desires of the world.
Almighty God, through the teachings of your Son we have heard your word and have come to understand and believe in all that we have heard. We pray for the strength to persevere and not let worldly fears, worries or temptations hamper us from serving you with our whole heart. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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