The story of the Sower (except for the good soil) can seem like a parable about someone else. But when I consider my life in Christ, I too can be the one where His words fall onto rocky ground, thorns, scorched by the sun; but also, glad to say on good soil. I think we all have these times of conflict when we hear Jesus’ words but don’t actually listen
The newspapers often write about fewer people wanting to come into the Church as ordained ministers. But why? God hasn’t stopped calling His people, has He? I think the reason is, we as His people have stopped listening. Not only have we stopped listening to His call to ministry, but also the Church itself has ears to hear but not always to listen.
The parable of the Sower shines a light on how all of us in one way or another only listen to what we want to hear (the moment of good soil), and not what God is calling us to do fully in His name (where the rest of the seed falls).
What is wonderful about the word of God is that somewhere, somehow in the cracks, in the shady places, falling through the thorns, the seed comes into contact with good soil. The seed grows in the most unusual places, sometimes in places where we may not think possible. Yet these places may be where growth becomes 30, 60 or 100-fold, but unless we take time to listen, not just hear the word, then those moments will come and go, and the seed which could have been so promising, withers.
The Sower in the parable was extremely generous, and perhaps to some foolish, in the way the seed was scattered. But the seed, like God’s word will at some point germinate and grow wherever it lands.
So those who have ears to hear, be ready to listen.