These grains of wheat, fallen among rocky ground and weeds, were discovered enthusiastically along an Ontario road side by Julie VanSpall’s seven-year-old nephew. “Even my little nephew can identify with the parable of the sower on a literal level,” writes VanSpall.
Walking along the country roads by my parents’ home, it is not uncommon to notice grains of wheat that have blown off farm wagons. Having grown up on a farm, I notice these divergences from the usual gravel, wildflowers, and weeds found along the road’s shoulder, but never pay them much attention. Recently, however, on a walk with my mom and seven-year-old nephew, the eyes of a child made me see a few seeds with new perspective.
As we approached the first stray grains of wheat along our route, my nephew immediately bent down to have a look at the patches of golden seeds. “What are these?” he asked full of curiosity. When we explained what they were and how they got there, he wanted to gather them all up and plant them somewhere better. I remarked to my mom that it reminded me of the parable of the sower.
“And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.’” (Mt 13: 3-9)
Jesus taught in parables, using themes of nature, hierarchies, or relationships, so people of his time would understand his message. He also taught in parables because the foundations of these stories were timeless and could be understood for generations to come. Even my little nephew can identify with the parable of the sower on a literal level, since he has studied seed growth in Kindergarten bean lessons and, now, has seen seeds thrown onto “rocky ground” firsthand.
Jesus said, “’Hear then the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’” (Mt 13: 18-23)
I find it beautiful that my nephew wanted to give those seeds a chance. He wanted to save each one and plant it properly. Innately, he understands the literal meaning of the parable of the sower.
My prayer for my nephew – my godson – and all young people in my life is that their faith will not be like the seeds that fall on rocky or thorny ground, leading them to temporary spiritual enthusiasm only to have it snuffed out by difficulties in life or the influences of the world. I pray that the adults in their lives will help their roots of faith to grow deep.
I pray that I may play a role in providing good soil for their faith. I pray that they will bring forth wheat and grains of their own to lead future generations to salvation. As Bishop Barron reminds us, “Jesus himself, in person, is the seed sown … that wants to take root in us.”
In the meantime, I’m grateful my young nephew already cares enough about life to be concerned about a few seeds; and I’m grateful that he made me think about my personal role in his faith life in a new way.