The Demands and Costs of Discipleship

Gospel Lk 8:4-15


This Saturday we hear possibly the 1st parable ever spoken by Jesus. It is a parable that speaks about the mission of Christ and about the ones who desire to follow him; it is a parable that illuminates the demands and costs of Christian discipleship.

In the Parable of the Sower we are reminded that the Word of God is always good, but the outcome of it depends on the heart and the mind into which it falls. The Word of God falling on good soil is equal to a person with a good and generous heart. The person with such a heart listens attentively. He allows Christ to grow in his heart and mind and ponders over the meaning of Christ for his life—he discerns where Christ is calling him. After his deliberation, he acts upon it.

As disciples, we follow in the footsteps of Christ by sowing or spreading the Good News to others. In our labor for the Kingdom, we are warned that we may not be completely successful. Yet we are counseled against despair. Though some of our efforts may not bear fruit, we are assured of a harvest. This parable reminds us that, though we may have our heart aches and losses in our mission for the Lord, no enemy can defeat the ultimate victory of God and we are to live in and out of this victory in our struggle for truth, goodness, and beauty.