Homily for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus' best-known stories. What makes it particularly remarkable is that it is the only parable He went on to explain to His disciples.

In this parable, the different types of soil represent various human responses to God's message. We are reminded that while God's Word is powerful, it requires our active response to be effective. We must open ourselves to the Word for it to bear fruit in our lives.

The parable identifies several obstacles that can hinder our full engagement with God's Word. One obstacle is a lack of understanding; we need to know who Jesus is and what He has said and done in order to respond appropriately. 

Another challenge is our tendency to keep God at a distance, which hinders His Word from taking root in our hearts. Additionally, we can become overly preoccupied with the complexities and pleasures of earthly life, allowing them to dominate our focus.

In His later interpretation of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus displays a practical understanding of these barriers to His presence and His Word. However, this practical perspective should not lead us to discouragement. The message of the Gospel is that God's perseverance is more powerful than any obstacle we face. When Jesus' disciples asked Him the rather cynical question, "Who then can be saved?" He replied, "For human beings, this is impossible, but for God, all things are possible."