different results - 3rd week wednesday 2018

Why does the same message produce different results?  Why does the same formation produce different outcomes?

Some commentators say that this parable read today should not be called the parable of the sower but should instead be entitled the parable of the soil - different soils, different growth, different fruits.

What is Jesus referring to when he speaks of the soil?  This is a parable and it uses imagery – farmer, seed, soil, harvest.  If you notice in ending the narration of the parable Jesus expanded as it were the image of the soil by saying, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."  The soil is about hearing, listening, heeding – open ground, rocky ground, a ground overgrown by thorns, and finally a fertile ground – they speak of the quality of hearing and listening. Mark may be using different words but these are simply variations of one word – the word listen, the famous shema of Israel.  In this passage alone of 20 verses the word listen and its variations are repeated 9 times.

So why does the same message produce different results?  Why does the same formation produce different outcomes?  The answer is, it depends on how one listens.

As rector I have been the recipient of so many promises, resolutions, assurances, pledges.  Some were made verbally, many were accompanied by tears, breast beating mea culpas, and dramatic appeals.  Others were written in one, two or three page letters elaborating in so many words one’s desire to become better.  Did these things matter?  Not at all.  Because the problem is not addressed by resolutions of becoming good or better, or getting sentimental about how one has come to love this place.  No.  It’s all about listening.  You were not listening.  As always Jesus is right in saying that it’s all about the quality of soil, the quality of hearing and listening.