ACC ~ Matthew 13 v8 - 9

RECEPTIVITY OF THE SOIL VARIES

CHRYSOSTOM: A fourth part is saved. But even here all are not alike. There are great differences.

Now these things Jesus said, showing that he preached to all without grudging. For the sower makes no distinction in the land submitted to him but simply and indifferently casts his seed. So he himself too makes no distinction of rich and poor, of wise and unwise, of slothful or diligent, of brave or cowardly. He plants his seed among all, fulfilling his part. Although foreknowing the results, it is within his power to say, “What ought I to have done that I have not done?” [1] And the prophets speak of the people as of a vine: “For my beloved had a vineyard” [2] and “He brought a vine out of Egypt.” [3] His concern is with sowing the seed. What is this illustrating? That obedience now will be quick and easier and will presently yield its fruit.

But when you hear once again that “the sower went forth to sow,” do not think of it as a needless repetition. For the sower frequently goes forth for some other act also, either to plough, or to cut out the evil herbs, or to pluck up thorns, or to attend to some such matter. But now he is going forth to sow.

Now tell me how the greater part of the seed was lost? Not through the sower but through the ground that received it. The soul was unreceptive.

Note that Jesus does not say: The careless received some seed and lost it, the rich received other seed and choked it, and the superficial received some seed and betrayed it. It is not his intention to rebuke them severely, lest he should cast them into despair. Christ leaves the reproof to the conscience of his hearers. Remember also in the parable of the net that much was gathered in that was unprofitable. [4]

But he speaks this parable as if to anoint his disciples and to teach them that they are not to be despondent even though those lost may be more than those who receive the word. It was with this same ease that the Lord himself continued to sow, even he who fully foreknew the outcomes.

But why would it be reasonable to sow among thorns or on rocks or on the pathway? With regard to the seeds and the earth it cannot sound very reasonable. But in the case of human souls and their instructions, it is praiseworthy and greatly to be honored. For the farmer might be laughed at for doing this, since it is impossible for a rock to bear fruit. It is not likely that the path will become anything but a path or the thorns anything but thorns. But with respect to the rational soul, this is not so predictable. For here there is such a thing as the rock changing and becoming rich land. Here it is possible that the wayside might no longer be trampled upon or lie open to all who pass by but that it may become a fertile field. In the case of the soul, the thorns may be destroyed and the seed enjoy full security. For had it been impossible, this sower would not have sown. And if the reversal did not take place in all, this is no fault of the sower but of the souls who are unwilling to be changed. He has done his part. If they betrayed what they received of him, he is blameless, the exhibitor of such love to humanity.

But mark this carefully: there is more than one road to destruction. There are differing ones, and wide apart from one another. For they who are like the wayside are the coarse-minded and indifferent and careless; but those on the rock such as fail from willed weakness only. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 44.4-5. [5]

[1] Is 5:4.

[2] Is 5:1.

[3] Ps 80:8 (79:8 LXX).

[4] Mt 13:47-50.

[5] PG 57:467-68; NPNF 1 10:281-82.

SOME A HUNDREDFOLD, SOME SIXTY, SOME THIRTY

ANONYMOUS: “Some upon good soil.” Good soil stands for those who abstain from deceitful wealth and who do good as far as they are able. They yield fruit thirtyfold. If they show contempt for all their goods and undertake to serve God, they have sixtyfold. And if they are afflicted by a bodily infirmity and put up with it patiently, they have a hundredfold, and the ground is good.

One who yields thirtyfold, that is, who does no evil but does good to the extent one can, this is indeed thirtyfold. One does not yield completely. One who yields sixtyfold is not fully able to show contempt for all one’s goods and fast regularly all one’s life, or live in celibacy, or suffer bodily deprivations. That would be sixtyfold. Therefore the Lord says to his apostles, who are capable of sixtyfold: “Sell what you have and give alms.” [1] But upon those incapable of sixtyfold he enjoins thirtyfold, saying, “Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not turn away from the one who asks for a loan.” [2] Likewise, the one who is capable of sixtyfold cannot completely attain a hundredfold. How many are those who are able to give up their goods, suffer the loss of their possessions, live in celibacy, suffer bodily deprivations and yet do not have the heart to sustain a hundredfold? INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 31. [3]

[1] Lk 12:33.

[2] Lk 6:30.

[3] PG 56:795.