To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Sam 7:4-17; Mk 4:1-20
The text of today is taken from what is
known as The Parable Discourse in the Gospel of Mark. The text contains an introduction
to the Discourse (4:1-2), the parable of the Sower (4:3-9), a saying on the
kingdom and its secret (4:10-12) and the interpretation of the parable (4:13-20).
It is important that while it is likely that Jesus uttered the parable, in all
probability the interpretation is the work of the early church. This is why;
the interpretation of these texts must be done separately.
The parable of the Sower seems to point
out that of the four types of soil in which the seed falls, it is LOST in three
types and bears fruit in only one type. This indicates that while three
quarters of the effort are lost, only a quarter is gain. However, the focus of
the parable is not on the loss but on the gain, which even that one-quarter
brings. The Parable is pointing out to the fact that this is how life often is.
Three quarters of our efforts seem to be wasted and it is possible that when
this happens we may give in to despair. However, we are called to focus not on
this but on the enormous gain that the one-quarter of our effort will indeed
bring.
We may tend to lose heart when we see
that most of our efforts do not seem to be bearing fruit. At times like these
the Parable of the Sower offers hope that even though much of our effort may
seem to be lost, the gain that will arise from it will be enormous. It invites
us not to ever lose heart but to keep on doing our part and leave the rest to
God. It is calling us to sow and rest confident in the hope that God will make
it grow.
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