The Preaching of Saint John the Baptist
Bacchiacca
c. 1520
Oil on wood, 68,5 x 92 cm
Szépmûvészeti Múzeum, Budapest
“Whoever has ears ought to hear”
The parable of the sower is one of the most important parables.
Appearing in three synoptic gospels, its importance is further
emphasized by its inclusion in the Sunday gospel.
Most of us have surely heard this parable. Many of us may also recall
its exact words. But how many of us can fully recall the explanation
Jesus gave to his disciples? Perhaps even fewer of us have reflected
more deeply on this parable and how it relates back to our own lives.
Maybe that is why our Lord Jesus said in one of his final reminders to
all of us: “Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Have the thorns and thistles brought on in our daily lives so
deafened us from hearing the soft and comforting Word of God? Are we
the footpath, or our souls rocky ground? Or, perhaps, are we among the
thorns, or the rich soil?
When we read this parable, perhaps we need to ask ourselves: Have the
“ears of our hearts” heard what the Word of God wants to tell us? Have
we opened our hearts to listen to what God is telling us through the
everyday circumstances in our lives? Do we try to spend time listening
to God in silence or through the scripture?
PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, Thank you for everything. All creation
proclaims your glory. Grant us the grace to grow in love with your Word
so that as we respond more fully to Your love, we may produce good
fruit for your glory.