NOTES for Mar 4:10-23
The parable of the sower, one of the best-known among the parables of the Lord Jesus Christ, has been handed down to us by three evangelists, and therefore we encounter it many times in the cycle of church readings. First of all, this parable is important for us because of its direct content. The Lord speaks about the reasons why we do not respond to God's call, to His word addressed to us. And these reasons are such that there is room for them in the life of almost every person. It is striking how clearly the Lord sees human nature... For the Creator, of course, this is natural. But it is noteworthy that He gives the explanation of these reasons to the apostles, who are to preach, and whose word will be received with all the difficulties about which the Lord warns them. It is important for the apostles to understand this so that they do not fall into temptation. To all the listeners, however, the Lord offers the parable without commentary, giving them the opportunity to apply it to themselves. This spiritual work is not always simple for people, but if it is done, a great deal becomes visible. And this applies not only to neophytes, but to all Christians. That is why the evangelists included in their narratives not only the parable, but also its explanation.
Also very important is the image of the seed and the sowing, which Christ uses repeatedly and which serves as a symbol of His ministry. The characteristic feature of this image is that the seed does not sprout at once, grows slowly, and requires care. This frees us from the tempting desire to observe the process of its growth in us, giving us the opportunity to focus on God Himself rather than on what He will give us. At the end of today's passage, the Lord Himself specifically emphasizes for the disciples that the seed will certainly sprout, because there is nothing hidden that will not become manifest. This remark of His, spoken to the apostles, is directed especially against a "technological" approach to spiritual growth.