A Yield of a Hundred-Fold

In the Gospels we find that Jesus often taught in  parables. Parables  have such a marvelous way of capturing our imagination. We listen intently and  our imagination “sees”  the story in action. Parables  speak to the heart, because by them we can see or visualize something familiar to our life experience.

Today’s readings are basically  optimistic. They speak of the  power of God’s word. Isaiah in the first reading tells how rain and snow fall from the heavens and will not return without having watered the earth, and  made it fertile and fruitful.

We have no trouble picturing  with our mind’s eye  and  imagination how green grass spring up overnight turning the brown earth to green after a brief rain shower, how plants grow, and fruits ripen after a healthy rain. The  rain dissolves the nutrients  in the soil to nourish the seed and make it germinate and grow to its full potential – the complete fulfillment of what it was intended to be.

The Gospel pictures a  farmer sowing seeds in his field. The  type of soil  into which the seeds landed  determines the fruitfulness. If the seed falls on a  stony footpath, the chances of survival are zero. If it falls on the  thin layer of rocky or hard soil, its roots will not be able to sustain the harsh conditions of the natural elements. If the seed gets blown into rows of  thorn-bushes that sometimes enclose fields to discourage animals from entering them, it will most likely not survive.

However, if the seed falls on  good fertile soil, it will undoubtedly flourish and be brought to its  complete fulfillment. In spite of the unproductive grounds on which the seeds fell,  in the end,  the good soil produces yields of 30, 60, and a hundredfold.

This parable is, first of all, a  parable of Christian optimism. God’s word is certain to produce its yield. There will be good soil to produce abundant yield. Christian optimism is  not dependent on circumstances in life such as youth, physical vigor, uninterrupted success, or even simply IQ and good food. Christian optimism is far from being dampened by ordeals of life. On the contrary,  it seems to draw from them an added motive for exercising itself.

The parable also speaks of how  the  disposition,  the kind of soil can affect the fruitfulness of the seeds.  We may miss reading Time magazine, Newsweek, or the Asiaweek, or the latest best seller, without any great loss. But to miss  hearing  and  responding  to God’s Word is to miss  what is most important.

Jesus,  in the parable of the  Sower, provides us with  the ways we can respond, or fail to respond, to the Word. Some people resist the Word of God, by  refusing to listen or by  distracting themselves  from hearing the Word, or by  finding excuses  for not listening, criticizing the priest,  the liturgy, and other church-goers. They do not want God to interfere with the kind of life they want to live.

Another type of hearing arises, whenever one hears the Word, but  sees  only the joy and blessings, not the sacrifice. This is a kind of  “sunshine Christianity” in which one follows Jesus as long as there are  miracles, praises and honor.  However, when it comes to  turning one’s face to Jerusalem  and the  cross with Jesus,  there is often a parting of the ways.There is no real commitment to Jesus and the Kingdom.

Then there is the person who is  too full of the world’s aspirations. Such a person is operating  under the  influence of money, power, and popularity.

The Word of God becomes  unnecessary  and  irrelevant to the daily concerns connected with the pursuit of worldly affairs.Wealth  speaks louder than  Jesus. Money  silences  faith. After all, the material world says that if you acquire enough of the world’s goods, you can control the Church, God and grace. Everything has a price. It is earned and kept.  You can buy your way to heaven. Those who don’t want to live like them are stupid or lazy. “Rights”  becomes the  operative word. God’s Word, therefore, is easily dismissed.

Finally, there is the person, who  authentically hears and proclaims  the Word of God. This is the person who hears the message, internalizes  it and puts it into practice  in his or her life. He it is  “who bears a yield of a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold.” The  Word of God  becomes the vital center of that person’s life.The Word  inspires  and  consoles.

In summary, in the parable – the  farmer  stands for  Jesus. The  seed  is  God’s Word. The soil, meaning the  footpath, rock, thorns, good soil,  refer to the  people,who hear God’s word. Some people  reject it outright. Others receive it, and  discard it later. Still others receive it,  treasure it,  and put it into practice.

It is important to note that in  only one case was the Word rejected outright. In the other cases, it was  received with joy. The problem is not in receiving God’s Word The problem is in  treasuring it,  and  putting it into practice.

There are, therefore,  three steps  involved in responding to God’s Word: receiving  it,  treasuring  it, and  practicing it. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps:

The first step is  hearing God’s Word.  We might call it the  “mind” step. It involves  listening attentively  to Scripture being read and explained.

The second step is  treasuring God’s Word.  It might be called the  “heart” step. It involves  taking to heart the Word we have heard. We consider its  implications  for our life, and  how it can make our life better.This second step doesn’t necessarily take place in church. It may start in church, but it usually continues during the week ahead, as we think about the Word we heard  on Sunday.

The third step is  putting God’s Word into practice. If we call the first step, the “mind” step, and the second step, the “heart” step, we might call the third step the  “soul” step. It involves  acting on what our mind has received and what our heart has treasured.

St. Paul referred to the “soul” step when he said:  “The Word of God is… sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet.”

And so the three steps involved in hearing God’s word are: the  mind step  (receiving it), the  heart step  (treasuring it), the  soul step  (putting it into practice).

Let’s close with a prayer:

Lord Jesus, Sower of the seed of God’s Word, help us realize that just receiving your Word isn’t enough. Help us also to take it to heart, and put it into practice.

Lord Jesus,Sower of the seed of God’s Word, help us respond to your word, not only with our whole mind, and our whole heart, but also with our whole soul. Amen.