A Sower Went Out ...

What kind of soil 

are you?

“A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. 

Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Jesus describes four conditions of heart and how they effect one's respond to the gospel. Elements of  all four might be found in our own hearts at various times in our faith journey. The following identifies a few of these and serves as starters for our prayer of examine.

THE FOUR CONDITIONS OF HEART

CLOSED ... (without understanding)

• One who is in denial - there is no God - no proof - no need
• Religion the root of all evil
• The exactness of science & technology better serves judgement
• The claims of religion lack proof

WEAK ... (has no root - only for a time - tribulation -  falls away)

• I used to believe - where was God when needed
• Faith serves only emotional needs
• If God loves, why all the suffering in the world
• Believers are viewed as simple minded

SELF ABSORBED ... (worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke)

• No time for religion - first things first
• Success frees one from the need for religion
• Myths of the past no longer credible
• Too much suffering for there to be hope

OPENED ... (hears - understands - perseveres - treasures)

• Inner peace, 
• Fidelity to devotion
• Experience of divine love
• Grace of understanding

Fr. Robert Barron on the Parable of the Sower - link