Seed of the Word

The parable of the sower is interpreted by Jesus himself, as we see in today's gospel reading. There are six kinds of soil: three good kinds and three unproductive ones. The productive ones are those that produce 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold. The unproductive soil types are the pathways, the rocky places, and the thorny places. All of us in one way or another find ourselves in one of the six types at various stages of our lives. To welcome the Word of God in our lives is paramount.

The Word of God is the seed, it is not the fruit itself. So, in this context, we can say that the Bible is a text in travail. It is pregnant with meaning and significance. Only our interaction with the Word of God and our acceptance of it can give birth to its meaning, that will lead us to produce fruit in our Christian lives. So, in the Bible, don't look for conclusions or answers. You need to struggle through the journey. It's an adventure. You need to experience it yourself, and offer your lives as evidence to its fruitfulness.

Moreover, we read the Bible as we are. That is why some of us find is very useful and inspirational. Others don't. That's why we can say that Scripture, like us, is fully human and fully divine. If we read the Scripture with hateful and vengeful attitudes, then we may misuse it for condemning others, and judging others. The only way, the best attitude, to read the Scripture is to read it with love. Only then can we produce great fruits, and be effective in the Christian living of God's Word.

Mind you, God speaks to us through many ways: not just the Bible, but also through our parents, dear ones, nature, the Church's tradition, through other religions, cultures, even through our so-called enemies. He speaks to us always and everywhere. "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."