Gardening 201

 


“Here then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

We have reflected on this parable so many times, I really wondered if I would have something new to say. Turns out I have. But let me ask you the question that triggered today’s reflection. If you were a sower of seed — a farmer or a gardener — would you just scatter seeds indiscriminately, or would you sow them purposefully in soil that you knew was fertile. And if the soil was not fertile, would you not make it fertile before you sowed seeds. I am an amateur gardener so I know this is exactly what I, or any sensible gardener, would do. So why was this sower just throwing seeds about? Was he stupid or what?

Okay, let’s try to understand this. First, who is the farmer? This is one of two parables that Jesus explains to his disciples. The other one is the Parable of the Weeds. In explaining the meaning of this parable, Jesus tells us everything except who the sower is. However, in his explanation of the other parable, he says: “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man” (Matthew 13:37). So, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to believe that the sower is God. Which leads to the obvious question: Doesn’t God know how to sow seed?

Oh, I am sure he does, but he is lavish. Whatever he does, he does extravagantly. So when he sows, he sows extravagantly. He doesn’t get one of those packet of seeds that tell you that seed should be sowed at a depth of exactly six centimeters with a space of 30 centimeters between seeds. He just digs into his bag and throws the seed throughout the kingdom, even where it may not grow. Why? He won’t distinguish between us. As Jesus once explained: “(God) causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). He shows no favor.

There is a great lesson for us contained in this truth. If God doesn’t distinguish between the evil and the good, why should we? In the same passage we just referenced, Jesus says that if we want to show ourselves to be children of our Father, we need to love our enemies just as we love our friends. And the enemies are not necessarily our personal enemies; they are the people who stand in opposition to the faith, those who practice the ways of the world, those who commit atrocious evils against humankind. One of the things we can practically do is pray for them. 

Another practical thing we can do is to share the word of God with them. If we can do this personally, there is nothing like it. You will be in the position to respond to their queries on the spot. Alternatively, you can share these reflections that you receive. Don’t share them only with those who you believe will be receptive to receiving them; share them with everybody. Scatter the seed far and wide. And if you get a curse thrown at you, consider yourself blessed that you have “been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (see Acts 5:41).

Happy gardening!

Watch a video of this reflection by Aneel Aranha here:https://youtu.be/sX-naX2hSDE


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