ASPAUCULE

Gospel for September 20, 2008, Saturday

1st Reading: 1 Cor 15:35–37, 42–49
Gospel: Lk 8:4–15
As a great crowd gathered and people came to him from every town, Jesus began teaching them through stories, or parables, The sower went out to sow the seed. And as he sowed, some of the grain fell along the way, was trodden on and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and no sooner had it come up than it withered, because it had no water. Some fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with the seed and choked it. But some fell on good soil and grew, producing fruit—a hundred times as much. And Jesus cried out, Listen then, if you have ears to hear!
The disciples asked him, What does this story mean? And Jesus answered, You have been granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to others it is given in the form of stories, or parables, so that seeing they may not perceive and hearing they may not understand.
Now, this is the point of the parable:
The seed is the word of God. Those along the wayside are people who hear it, but immediately the devil comes and takes the word from their minds, for he doesnt want them to believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are people who receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe for a while and give way in time of trial. Among the thorns are people who hear the word but as they go their way, are choked by worries, riches, and the pleasures of life; they bring no fruit to maturity. The good soil, instead, are people who receive the word and keep it in a gentle and generous mind, and persevering patiently, they bear fruit.

Commentary
The sower in the parable is generous in broadcasting the seed in his satchel, casting it even where it has little chance for growth. Here is an image of the magnanimity of the Lord, for the seed of His word is disseminated throughout the world, to men and women of every age and place, even where there is seemingly little chance for the seed to grow and develop.
The Lord not only plants where seeds are likely to grow, He plants in the most unlikely of places. Thorns and rocky ground are no match for His mercy and love, nor is even the most hardened heart.
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