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  If your computer isn't working properly and you don't understand why...

...just hit it a bunch of times with a hammer. It still won't work properly, but at least you'll understand why.

 

  Our Lord's disciples often did not understand what he was telling them and they had a hard time understanding this parable that we read today.

 

Luke 8:9 “And his disciples asked him, saying What might this parable be?”

 

   Many times the disciples had problems understanding what the meaning was of our Lord's parables as he taught those that crowded about Him and this was one of those times.

 

  After they asked Him what this parable of the sower was about He explained it to them.

 

   He told them that the seed in the story was the word of God and the four soil types are four types of people that hear it.

 

   The first soil type was that of the wayside or path.

 

  The seed doesn't penetrate and the birds take it away. These are the hearers of God's word that never really listen to it or take it into their hearts so it is never able to work in them.

 

   The second type was the stony soil, where the seed germinates, but has no root and so soon withers and dies.

 

  This type of hearer is effected by the word at first, but in adversity loses interest and soon drifts away without bearing any fruit either.

 

   The third soil type is the thorny soil.

 

  The ground itself is good, but the weeds choke the plant and don't let them produce fruit as they should. This is the type of hearer who really takes the word to heart, but lets the cares and worries of the world, (and the concern for earthly riches), hinder their usefulness to the Church and to the spread of God's kingdom.

 

  These bear very little fruit.

 

   The fourth soil is the good soil that produces the good crop.

 

  These are the hearers that, not only take the word to heart, but by virtue of God's grace working in them, are able to “bring forth fruit with patience”.

 

  This “good soil” is able to bring many others to the saving love of God by helping to grow His Church.

 

   We should ask God in prayer daily to make each of us that “good soil”.

 

  That we may show growth in His love and service.

 

  That we may bring forth fruit to the glory of our God.