Gospel Contemplation: Parable of the Sower

Gospel Contemplation is a way of praying that St. Ignatius proposes quite frequently in his Spiritual Exercises. You are invited to use your imagination to enter the scene, to take part, to let the scene unfold. As Ignatius suggests, notice the people, listen to them, watch what they do [SE, 106, 107, 108]. Perhaps you may sense an invitation to be one of the individuals in the scene and engage in a conversation with one of them. You can do this on your own, or use the text below as a guide.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the scene. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text or your imaginative contemplation.

If at any point during the guided contemplation your imagination comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written contemplation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

In the preceding chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encounters both acceptance and resistance to his message. Many are healed and crowds follow him. At the same time, he encounters unrepentant towns and scribes and pharisees who reject his message and at times openly oppose him. In chapter 13, Matthew presents a series to parables exploring this mixed reception.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for whatever it is you need right now. If you can't think of anything, you might ask for the grace to accept and respond to God's word.

Read the passage slowly, savoring the words and beginning to imagine the scene. Read it twice if that helps you to visualize it.

It is a hot summer day and the heat of the house where he is staying is too much for Jesus. He leaves the house to go and sit by the sea of Galilee, where there is a breeze. You find him sitting there. Imagine this moment in all its details. The sea, glinting with the sun. The breeze off the water. The sand, warm under your feet. The birds calling. Fishermen nearby tending their boats.

What is Jesus like as he sits by the sea?
How do you feel as you approach him?
How does he greet you?

Spend a few moments with Jesus, sitting by the sea.

Slowly, a crowd draws around as people begin to recognize Jesus and point him out to others. He is moved to speak to them, and finds a boat to take him out a little ways. Do you go with him in the boat or stay on the shore with the crowd?

As you listen to his parable about the sower sowing seed on various types of land, what images come to your mind and heart? How do you feel?

In what way has the seed, the word of God, fallen on your path, your rocky ground, your thorns, your rich soil? What images or memories come to your mind and heart?

What desires are stirred in you as Jesus speaks?

What might it mean for you that the sower continues to sow on all of these types of ground?

Imagine that Jesus has returned to the shore, and once again you are sitting with him, just the two of you by the sea.

Share with him what you have felt and experienced. Talk with him as with a friend, sharing and listening. And when you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.