Matthew, the gospel writer, introduces us to the parables of Jesus by remembering the parable of the sower. (Matthew 13) Although the Word says, "And He told them many things in parables, saying, 'Listen, a sower went out to sow..." what is called a parable has always had more the feel of an allegory. Another thing which makes it different from other parables is the way the parable itself is explained by Jesus. With the explanation given by Jesus, this rendering of a parable lacks the mystery which requires those who hear to figure it out.
As we look toward understanding the parable of the sower, the one phrase which keeps re-appearing in some form contains such words as "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom...(vs. 18)...this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it...(vs. 20)...this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world...(vs. 22)...this is the one who hears the word and understands it...(vs. 23) Perhaps, the parable is not so much about the seed, or the ground, but the hearing of the Word of the Kingdom when it is proclaimed.
As we know, there are different kinds of hearing. Some of our hearing is done while doing a kind of auditory multi-tasking. Some of it is done through the filter of pre-conceived notions about what is being heard. Some of it is listening that speaks more of toleration than hearing. The kind of hearing to which the parable moves us is the kind which goes beyond anything physical, but to a kind of hearing which can only be received thought the senses which are unconsciously at work in our lives through every kind of communication. But, more importantly the hearing which enables us to hear both the words and the mystery within the words of the Kingdom is a hearing not just of the mind, but of the heart.
As we look toward understanding the parable of the sower, the one phrase which keeps re-appearing in some form contains such words as "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom...(vs. 18)...this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it...(vs. 20)...this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world...(vs. 22)...this is the one who hears the word and understands it...(vs. 23) Perhaps, the parable is not so much about the seed, or the ground, but the hearing of the Word of the Kingdom when it is proclaimed.
As we know, there are different kinds of hearing. Some of our hearing is done while doing a kind of auditory multi-tasking. Some of it is done through the filter of pre-conceived notions about what is being heard. Some of it is listening that speaks more of toleration than hearing. The kind of hearing to which the parable moves us is the kind which goes beyond anything physical, but to a kind of hearing which can only be received thought the senses which are unconsciously at work in our lives through every kind of communication. But, more importantly the hearing which enables us to hear both the words and the mystery within the words of the Kingdom is a hearing not just of the mind, but of the heart.
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