A Measuring Stick

Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-9

The Parable of the Sower is the only one where an explanation is provided afterward by Jesus.  All the other parables are left alone to be pondered and discerned.  It is likely that this parable too was originally like all the others, and that an explanatory note was added afterward.  The explanation of the parable can be seen as deterministic - that we are born a certain way with a certain outcome of our lives already preset.  But such is not the case.

The parable as it is provides us the opportunity for reflection and examination throughout our lives.  At this moment in my life, what is the state of my soul? At times we find ourselves choked off by thorns.  At other times we feel flashes of growth only to see it wither, while still other times we feel no growth at all.  We rejoice at the moments in life where we do sense real depth of progress.  And it may be that various parts of our spiritual life may be experiencing different things simultaneously.

The Parable of the Sower can then be used as a measuring stick to gauge our progress.  It is a parable for us to return to again and again to see if the Beatitudes have taken root in my life, if the flowers of mercy, meekness, purity of heart, peacemaking, righteousness, and patient suffering have emerged and grown.  God has generously strewn these seeds in the garden of our souls.  It is for us to continually check the garden for growth and progress.