Which soil do you find yourself in?
The parable of the sower has always been one of my favorite bible passages because of how relatable it is. It’s easy to read it and analyze which soil you would consider yourself to be. Are you the seed in the rocky soil? The thorns? Or the good soil? This parable becomes even more applicable in the world we’re living in right now.
The seed that is sown represents the word of God. To go further it represents his teachings and what we as Catholics are called to believe. There are those who when they receive the word of God, they receive it with joy. However, when the challenges, hardships and persecution arise they fall away. Their faith in the word of God has no root, no foundation to hold onto, so they slip away.
Then there are those who are sown in the thorns. The thorns represent the world, material goods and things of this world. The person desires more earthly riches than heavenly riches. This desire consumes the person and prevents them from bearing good fruit from the word of God.
Finally, those that are sown in the good soil receive the word of God, accept it and bear much fruit. This should be our goal. That we’re able to receive the word of God and live by it. That our faith is strong enough to bear our hardships and not fall away when we face these challenges.
“But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
— Mark 4:20
In today’s world we see so many who fallen from the faith. We see those who turn their backs to God the moment life gets hard. We see those who are consumed with power and money that they forget what really matters. We see those that ignore Church teaching when it’s convenient for them. We see those who deny God when faced by societal pressure so that they can continue to “fit in.”
We’re not called to fit in with society. We’re called to walk on the narrow path. We’re called to defend God, our Church and His teachings. It’s hard to go against what society tells you you should believe, but if it’s for the glory of God, your reward will be great. We may be called the minority. We may be persecuted. Jesus was in the minority. Jesus was persecuted. Have faith and courage because Jesus is with you and will be your shield and strength.
Thoughts Of A Catholic Girl 
Very clear post and inspiring, too:)
I imagine the narrow path is more of an open nature trail rather than an enclosed hallway, in my opinion. Because of Free Will, we have the ability to stray; there are no walls that block our attempt. And since God knows how easy it is for us to stray, He provides us with an amazing amount of help and grace. The open nature trail is full of danger, but with God, all things are possible.
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