The Sower and The Four Types of Believers

July 10, 2011

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55,10-11. Rm 8,18-23

Mt 13,1-23

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The Parable of the Sower is one of the most magnificent teachings of our Lord recorded in the Gospels. Every time one hears it, he may have mixed emotions to the point of asking, saan kaya ako dito?

And who may not ask? The parable is about a sower who scattered seeds on four places, the ground, the stones, the thorns, and the soil. The seeds grew but it had faced different fates. The seeds on the ground were eaten by the birds, like bird seed. The seeds on the stone grew a little bit but died eventually because there is practically of the sun’s heat and loss of soil. The seeds on the thorns were chocked because the thorns grew up with them. And as for the seeds which fell on good soil, they grew up and multiplied, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold.

As Jesus explains further the parable, we can see the different underlying personalities in the parable. God comes as the sower, and the seeds His Word. This comes to us every Mass, as we listen to the readings. This comes to us through the teachings of the Church. And most certainly, this comes from deep inside us through our conscience. As we live every day, we are all the more exposed to the Word of God that as his children, we are called to follow what it is saying, and follow it in thought, word and deed.

We may not know it, but Jesus classifies us like the four places where God’s Word is being scattered. We shall call it THE FOUR TYPES OF BELIEVERS. Let’s see who fails and who tops.

Some of us are told to be PATH-TYPE. They are the type of people who listen to God’s Word, but before they may know it, the evil one snatch in and puts in the believer bad sentiments. Slow people who, instead of giving the needed focus on the Word, are giving room for the devil to dwell inside him. Typical examples of this are those who sleep while listening to the Homily inside Mass, and those who refuse to go to Mass when invited by a relative or friend.

FAIL.

Some are STONE-TYPE. These are the people who listen to the Word, welcome it, but do not ponder much from it. They just listen, period. No understanding, no sign of surrender to God’s will. And so, when trials come, they tend to give up. They don’t believe anymore in what the Church has to offer, and instead go to somewhere they may feel God in another way. Examples of this are our brethren who were once Catholics but are now born-again Christians, members of Iglesia, Saksi, Daan, etc.

FAIL.

Some of us are THORN-TYPE. These are people who tend to HEAR God’s word but don’t care at all. They are more focused on the worldly tasks, i.e. their job, family, fame, political will, riches, and other things that have no connection to the Divine Providence. They are those who say, Anong Diyos? Ni hindi nga niya ako matulungan noong nangangailangan ako! Lahat ng ito, pagsisikap ko. Lahat ng ito, pinaghirapan ko. Walang Diyos at walang Hesus na tumulong sa akin. Examples of this are the typical call center agents who were swept away by the western-style secularization, and the freethinkers.

FAIL.

But above all these, there are people who listen to God’s Word, welcome it, and understand it in full detail. They are the SOIL-TYPE. We have no need to describe these people, since it is enough for them to entrust themselves to God’s Will, for they know that God will take care of their every need. And once they are blessed materially and spiritually, they fulfil their duty of sharing it to others and bringing souls nearer to God. Their motto is Solo Dios basta! The examples of this are the saints, and the Holy people who, though anonymous, are striving hard to bring God’s Kingdom here on Earth.

TOP.

Now, the message is so clear that we should ask ourselves, In which type of believer do we belong? It is only for us to answer and for God to confirm. Throughout the years of encountering God’s Word both through the Sacraments and through our daily endeavour with others, are we fully giving attention to it? Or are we like the other types that, in one way or another, do not give attention to God’s Word AT ALL?

And so, Jesus invites all of us who are faced by these four types of believers. All you who has ears, SHEMA! LISTEN!

If you are a Path-type, listen and welcome God, and he will take away the evil one from your being.

If you are a Stone-type, listen and welcome God, and he will guide you out of your misunderstanding, towards a brighter understanding of His will for you.

If you are a Thorn-type, listen and welcome God, and he will wipe away the worldly being in you. Let him teach you the path of Divine righteousness, something which is different from your view of fulfilment.

And if you are a Soil-type, continue to listen and welcome God in your being. Continue to be His servant. Continue to be of service to him, to the Church, and to your brothers and sisters in need. Continue to be blessed and be a blessing to others. Continue to bear fruit, thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold!

And so we pray...

Jesus, you are the sower who continues to scatter the Good News of Salvation throughout the world. You don't let us be like the path, stone or thorns who do not give proper attention to your utterance. You would want us to be like the good soil wherein you dwell, grow and multiply within our beings. Continue to shower us with your blessings, that as we listen to your word and ponder from it, we may grow and be fruitful Christians who may lead others to your Father, some thirty, some sixty and others a hundredfold.

You live and reign forever. Amen.