Scripture Reflection, July 13: The Sower and the Seed

Scripture readings:
Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 65
Romans 8:18-23
Matthew 13:1-23

The first reading this Sunday comes from Isaiah 55: 10 – 11. This particular passage is quite familiar to me; it was one of the readings that my wife and I chose for our wedding. My wife first found it. When she showed it to me, we agreed that Isaiah’s words were exactly what we wanted read on our big day. The passage is powerful, earthy and expresses strong confidence in the efficacy of God’s actions. Needless to say, these lines in Isaiah rank high on my list of favorite Bible passages. Still, when I began reflecting on this week’s scripture, I realized that I had never made a connection between these lines in Isaiah and the parable of the sower and the seeds.

In these two verses, Isaiah compares God’s word to rain and snow. Just as precipitation is a gift that nourishes the earth, so too does God’s word complete the purpose for which it is sent. This confidence in God’s actions, as well as Isaiah’s earthy metaphors, can be found repeated throughout all of this Sunday’s readings.

It is difficult to think of a more earthy psalm than Psalm 65, written undoubtedly by a farmer. The Psalmist praises God for watering the earth, softening the soil and breaking up the clods. The second reading, Romans 8: 18 – 23, once again speaks of God’s relationship with creation, except this time, creation is in “eager expectation,” awaiting the time when it too will “share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” And finally, there is the Gospel, Matthew 13: 1 – 23, in which we hear Jesus’ most popular parable about agrarian life, how the sower planted on rich and rocky ground alike.

As any farmer would know, one should plant on fertile soil to better ensure quality yields and profitability. Hearing such planting practices described in the Gospel would cause present day famers to question the sensibilities of the sower. As the Gospel explains, there was even confusion during the time of Jesus. His disciples questioned his heavy use of metaphors when speaking. When Jesus explained the parable, it was clear that the sower—in this case, God—was not concerned about the financial bottom line.

God measures by a different set of standards. In the parable of the sower, the seeds represent God’s word. We learn that God throws himself upon the earth and shares himself with each of us and does not expect anything in return. In the end, it is up to us how we respond to God’s call. Will we accept the word of God and allow it to soften the edges and break up the clods in our own lives? We have been given the personal freedom to choose to accept God’s love. By choosing yes, we agree to cultivate the soil of our lives, so we may bear abundant fruit.

May we have the grace and strength to open our hearts to God’s word!

By Jake Kohlhaas

Jake is a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union and is currently working as the youth minister for Edison Park Lutheran Church in Chicago.