A few weeks ago when the Gospel from today’s Mass was proclaimed on Sunday, someone asked me a series of questions regarding the sower. We are told by Jesus that the sower is the Son of Man, Jesus himself. Hence, why would the Lord, who knows everything ahead of time, sow seed he knew would not bear fruit?
Let’s review the text:
“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Matt 13:1-9)
Now, a human sower can have little control over the destiny of the seeds he sows. But in this parable Jesus, who is God is the sower and he has the capacity to sow seeds only in perfect soil. Why then waste any seed on rocky or thin soil, or the path? This is the question I was asked.
Perhaps a series of possible “answers” is all we can venture. I place “answers” in quotes since we are in fact touching on some mysteries here of which we can only speculate. So, here are some “answers.”
1. God is extravagant – it is not just seed He scatters liberally, it is everything. There are hundreds of billions of stars in over 100 billion galaxies, most of these seemingly devoid of life as we understand it. Between these 100 billion galaxies are huge amounts of, what seems to be, empty space. On this planet where one species of bird would do, there are thousands of species, tens of thousands of different sorts of insects, a vast array of different sorts of trees, mammals, fish etc. Extravagant barely covers it. The word “extravagant” means “to go, or wander beyond.” And God has gone vastly beyond anything we can imagine. But God is love, and love is extravagant. The image of him sowing seeds, almost in a careless way is thus consistent with the usual way of God.
This of course is less an answer to the question before us than a deepening of the question. The answer, if there is one, is caught up in the mystery of love. Love does not say, what is the least I can do? It says “What more can I do.” If a man loves a woman, he does not look for the cheapest gift on her birthday, rather he looks for an extravagant gift. God is Love and God is extravagant.
2. Even if the failed seed represents those who ultimately reject him, God loves that seed anyway. Remember, as Jesus goes on to explain, the seeds that fail to bear fruit, are symbols of those who allow riches, worldly preoccupation, persecution and other things to draw them away from God. But, even knowing this, does not change God’s love for them. He still wills their existence. Scripture says elsewhere, But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt 5:44-45).
Yes, God loves even those who will reject him and will not, knowing ahead of that rejection, say to them, “You cannot exist.” He thus scatters even that seed, knowing ahead of time that it will not bear fruit. Further, he continues to send the sun and rain, even on those who will reject him.
Hence this parable shows forth God’s unfailing love. He sows seeds, even knowing they will not bear the fruit he wants. He wills the existence of all, even those who he knows ahead of time will reject him.
3. That God sows seeds and allows them to fall on bad soil is indicative of our freedom. The various places the seed falls is indicative of human freedom, more than illustrative of the intent of God. For one may still question, “Why would God “allow” seed to fall on the path, or among thorns, or in rocky soil?” And the only answer here is that God has made us free. Were He to go back and place the seed in good soil, this would, by way of the analogy of the parable, veto our choice, and we could only bear good fruit. In other words, there could be no other outcome than to bear fruit. But this is not freedom, for there is no real choice. Thus, that God sows seeds and allows them to fall on bad soil is indicative of our freedom.
So, permit these “answers.” God sows seed he knows will bear no fruit because he is extravagant, because he loves and wills the existence even of those he knows will reject him, and because he respects our freedom.
As with all reckoning about the interaction of God’s sovereignty with our freedom, these “answers” limp a bit. There are mysteries here caught up in time, in providence, freedom and the sovereignty of God. These answers are thus submitted with humility and should be read with humility.
I interpret this video to mean that God will never withdraw his offer, not that he is trying to force a solution. For though he wants to save us, he respects our freedom to let go.
Epistle 203
My some ideas of “the homily” of Msgr. Charles Pope are here below:
Firstly, in the homily, Msgr. Charles Pope relied on Matthew 13:1-9 which talked about “the Parable of the Sower”. And Father gave a question: why would the Lord Jesus, who knows everything ahead of time, sow seed he knew would not bear fruit?
Finally, answer of Msgr. Charles Pope is that God sows seed he knows will bear no fruit because he is extravagant, because he loves and wills the existence even of those he knows will reject him, and because he respects our freedom.
I quite agree with Msgr. Charles Pope on the homily.
Secondly, now permit me to discuss some problems to clarify further the homily hereafter:
If we wonder that why would God create the heavens and the earth, vegetation, living creatures, man, male and female, then we ought to answer that because God loves us.
However, if we wonder that why Jesus was One and Only Son of God while all people are God’s children, then we ought to answer that if Jesus was One and Only Son of God, it is because Jesus professed to be One and Only Son of God.
Similarly, when I said Msgr. Charles Pope is my spirit-father. This is due to me professed so.
The profession of faith is a best important problem of Catholics.
When I professed to be Son of Msgr. Charles Pope, then Father himself comes to meet me or Father will send me his beloved son, a certain Catholic, to meet me.
We can read further on these problems in part one, section one of Catechism of the Catholic Church here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
There is also the fact that in some barren rocky places, some places crowded by thorns and weeds, a seed will not only grow, but it will grow with an incredible and miraculous abundance and beauty.
Yes, though I wonder if the parable envisions this? At the natural level i surely think you are right
Nice reflection Msgr. I guess, given the rocky and barren “soil” of our broken world, what could we expect our Sower to do? Not plant? Analogous to why He wouldn’t pull the weeds before harvest (for fear it would kill the wheat also). So, too, perhaps God must plant extravagantly on fertile and rocky soil, alike, as a demonstration of both His grace and mercy. I suspect most all of us were planted in some of that rocky soil! Kyrie Eleison.
Yes, Kyrie Eleison ! And the word is thus for we have made it thus! More Kyries!
I guess my difficulty with this discussion is the part that God knows ahead of time which seed will reject him. My pastor gave an outstanding reflection on this Gospel that considered the extravagance of God “broadcasting” seed everywhere, and how we can get discouraged when we see people going down the wrong path, but God continues to scatter seed
Yes, God’s providence and time itself are great mysteries
God is love… He is Who/What he is. He cannot hate even the slightest.. he would be going against himself…
(continued from my previous posting)
The knowledge of God continuing to scatter seed, even as it appears to be futile, can remind us to keep hope alive (as God does). I found this to be a very inspiring way to look at this Gospel. I also liked Msgr’s points. It just proves the richness of the Word of God.
Yes, thanks. It is a truly thought-provoking parable
If God had created Adam in perfection, there would not exist the capacity to make a choice. It is imperfection that gives us the capacity to chose Perfection.
One more thing. God’s sacrifice was perfect. Who’s to say someone is lost?
I am not sure I would go quite this far. For it would seem that according to our Tradition and the Scriptures that Adam and Eve were without sin. I don’t think we need to presume that the perfect cannot choose. I presume the saints in heaven, who are perfect, do not sin, not because they cannot sin or have lost their freedom, but rather, they do not sin because they do not want to sin.
As far as saying – Who’s to say that someone is lost” it would appear that Jesus does, in many places, actually.
The birds (chickens) were nourished. Chickens provide nourishment to me.
The scorched, provide shade to me-though not for long!
The choked had a fighting chance-they tried-they give me courage!
God wastes nothing!!!
Interesting
If you have ever seen ( and I think we all have) a dandelion growing up in the cracks in a concrete sidewalk
against all odds of survival…then you know the answer to the question posed here. Later why did Jesus
say to leave the weeds growing among the wheat until the end of time. While I have never seen a weed turn
into anything but what it is…with God all things are possible. This is all about hope…for everyone ..pious or otherwise. Just my own thoughts!
Well, I certainly don’t deny the dandelion example in the natural order. But I am not sure this is the point Jesus is making. He seems to say that the seed that falls on the bad ground does not grow, does not produce fruit.
An interesting explanation by Msgr Pope, but note his quote; “Now, a human sower can have little control over the destiny of the seeds he sows. But in this parable Jesus, who is God is the sower….”
RESPONSE: The identity of the sower is not mentioned. Though all the synoptic gospels record the parable, the one who is broadcasting the seed is never identified. In parables, the understanding is reflective of the audience addressed. As in those days, to see a farmer broadcasting seed by hand from a pouch was not unusual. That is a key to using parables as pedagogue for it creates a verbal picture from everyday life. Again, the context requires the reader to be aware of the audience. The importance of the story is the SEED, not the SOWER. Why? Well, not all parables are explained; however, the sower and the seed are made clear but the disciples and the audience are not totally grasping its depth.
Please note in Mt 13:19; “…anyone hears the word of the kingdom…that [the word] is what was sown along the path. Let’s see Mk 4:14; “The sower sows the word.” and Lk 8:11; “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Now, each Evangelist recounts Isaiah 6 foretelling of Israel’s blindness and deafness to the coming Messiah. But Mark 4:13 notes a special rebuke to the twelve; “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (ESV)
Your novel ideas about God’s extravagance, etc., are understandable considering this wrong concept of a parable and the basic error (maybe some eisegesis) as to the sower. The soil that each seed falls upon is clearly explained in each gospel (just keep reading the passage). The application is then brought out in light of Isaiah;s vision. Pathway soil is hard and impenetrable; rocky soil where the earth is not deep cannot take root, and soil shared with thorns gets a foothold but is soon overwhelmed by the intruding weeds. However, the good soil bears fruit. The soil is the heart of the hearer!!! Verse 9 – “HE THAT HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR.”
Also, Msgr, I quote you again; ““Why would God “allow” seed to fall on the path, or among thorns, or in rocky soil?” And the only answer here is that God has made us free. Were He to go back and place the seed in good soil, this would, by way of the analogy of the parable, veto our choice,”
RESPONSE: No where is the sinner placed in a condition or situation that “he/she” has a choice in relation to spiritual life. What part of Romans 3:10-18 are you stumbling over? Romans 1:18 defines the deliberateness of sinners who by “their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (ESV) The remainder of chapter 1 makes a solid case that man is without excuse and 3 times (after defining our sinfulness) Paul emphasizes “GOD GAVE THEM UP.” The Great Promises in John 6:37 and Eph 1:11-14 make the “veto” option untenable. Yes, we make choices–we even think we make religious or spiritual choices, but only those called will bear fruit and persevere (tie that in with the Sower/Seed application). We are free to do whatever out nature wants to do and that is SIN, The degree and depravity varies but the outcome is the same. Freedom (I am understanding you to mean “free will”) is true in the sense that, by nature, our will is conceived and Eph 2:1-3 defines our nature (spiritually) as DEAD in trespasses and sins. But the graciousness and mercy the Father has on His children is made known through the cross (Romans 5:1-8) and the gifts of faith and grace (Eph 2:8-9). Even repentance is a gift from God (Romans 2:4–compare with verse 5). [Synergism is not part of the Gospel].
Just reread the 3 previous posts above and see that they are missing the point because the teaching is questionable. I guess a 7 minute Homily is like eating plain grits compared to an expository sermon that protein packed and sustaining until the next meal. Peace
The Sower IS identified: Jesus answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.” (Matt 13:37). Hence many of your points do not withstand your own error. Your rather arrogant tone also looks kind of silly given your own fundamental error.
I don’t know the heart of the priest but Father Corapi reminds me of that seed
that rises up in joy and spreads the gospel only to be choked by the ‘cares of the world’.
Many priests do that, spread the word with great booming voices bringing many to our Catholic faith and later
on down the path they stray instead of remembering that temptation/sin happens even to them.
they run off on another path and take a lot of the ‘faithful’ with them.
Those that remain, are planted on the good soil.
Many are called few are chosen.
Yes. And we can certainly hope that Fr C’s set-back is temporary. But I am also mindful, based on what you say of a quote from Scripture: Call no man happy before his death, for by how he ends, a man is known (Sirach 11:28)
Thank you Msgr. Charles. I loved the video, made my day. God is love. Blessings to you. I`d comment but the subject is above my pay grade. Humility, a Benedictine trait I am working on amongst others. Pax.
Thanks, humility is important when we come to such subjects.
The notion that “one has to be able to sin in order to be free” or “one has to be imperfect in order to choose” would mean that God is not free and cannot choose … likewise, the saints in heaven (whose will is infallibly confirmed in God, such that they cannot now turn away from him) would be the most enslaved of all men …
God could have sown seed only on good soil, all men and angels could have been saved, it would not have destroyed freedom.
Yes, I know it is a mystery which we are discussing, but any notion of “sin = freedom” or “freedom requires sin” simply cannot be right … we are in the “image of God”, and His freedom is shown in the fact that He cannot sin, cannot do evil, and is entirely perfect.
Better to admit the mystery, than to attempt to square the circle.
Msrg., The fact that some (at least some of the angels) are not saved is indicative not of freedom, but of the limitations and weakness of the creature who tends toward nothingness and toward self-enslavement (i.e. he who sins is a slave of sin).
In other words, precisely because the creature is not as free as his Creator, some seed is sown on bad soil.
Well, that’s my take on the parable … I love your first 2 points!
You are tripping over your own rigidity and living in a theoretical world. I do not argue that freedom requires sin….sin = freedom….. freedom requires sin” and you errantly say. Rather, freedom requires choice. It is you who wish to resolve the mystery and square the circle. As for your take on the parable, I would doubt that very few people have any idea what you are talking about.
Msgr, with all due respect to you and your office, please note that Mt 13:37 clearly refers to the weeds (24-30). As to vs 37, yes, Jesus is the sower of the GOOD seed. The initial parable did not differentiate as to quality for the seed is the preached word whether in the times of Christ or today. I dealt only with the context of your selection of Mt 13:1-9 and the correlating interpretation by our Lord.
Moreover, my other points too stand the test as written. Now, I will admit I get a bit carried away sometimes with the “lean cuisine” discourse at the end of the post. I write to you with humility and not arrogance. If we were face-to-face, you would clearly not see a facade.
Rather you are on an exotic diet here. It is Your interpretation that is novel and your dismissal of the point of view described is, in fact, arrogant in tone. Consider what you wrote:
Your novel ideas about God’s extravagance, etc., are understandable considering this wrong concept of a parable and the basic error (maybe some eisegesis) as to the sower. The soil that each seed falls upon is clearly explained in each gospel (just keep reading the passage)……“HE THAT HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR.”….What part of Romans 3:10-18 are you stumbling over?
Now you are free to offer a different view but try to avoid the mere dismissal of others such as me. This is especially the case when you are going to hold a position that out of the mainstream.
I will reiterate, your points do not stand from my perspective at all. WHile I am will to accept alternate views being presented I do not appreciate your corrective tone particularly when you are presenting a view that is not even mainstream.
“Novel ideas” do not equal an arrogant tone. Reread my FIRST RESPONSE where I explain what a parable is and how it is understood and applied. You disagree with that? Do you eve give Joe Catholic in the pew any idea what it is?
No, you and I part ways with the concept that any man can trump God!!! We have no vote in this matter, we just think we do. Job learned the lesson of “where were you when…..” That same motif is found in the prophets as well.
And if my point on freedom is not mainstream, you are probably right because “mainstream” is rarely nothing more than a slough of theological dysfunctional liberals. Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic — all have them.
res ipsa loquitur
is it predestination most are questioning, and double predestination? the rich man feels God was unfair by not warning him and asks abraham to send lazarus to his brothrers. that has to do with judgement and i like peter kreeft’s reflection on cs lewis’s TILL WE HAVE FACES A commentary on C.S. Lewis’s solution to evil, worked out in fiction. Also deals with the fascinating question “Why does God wear disguises?”
http://www.peterkreeft.com/audio/16_cslewis-till-we-have-faces/peter-kreeft_till-we-have-faces.mp3
Excellent post as always, Msgr. Pope. It seems that I am sometimes the path, sometimes the rocky soil, and sometimes in the thorns–too focused on the cares of the world. But by the grace of God, I am sometimes also the fertile soil, open to the Word, hearing Him, and living the way He desires. I think also that sometimes I am the wheat and sometimes the tares. My hope is that Christ, in His infinite mercy, will treasure and eventually perfect my feeble efforts. After all, nothing will be impossible for God (Lk 1: 37).
Land was not cleared in those days as we clear it. The seed was just scattered all over. Wait until harvest time when you can tell what is wheat, and then gather the good together.
The seed is the word of God and it is for everyone but we as humans or soil in this case are all different. And like all farmers they are always planting every year so Jesus is always planting. So this year you maybe rocky soil, but next year you maybe good soil. And as for the birds (Satan ) he’s always around to steal the word from us.