"Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear!" Jesus said this to His disciples. They were privileged not only to hear Jesus' parable, but to have it explained to them by Himself in some detail. We share their privilege, because we can hear/read the gospel with faith enough to know and accept Jesus for who He claims to be. But many others listening to Him that day did not understand what He was telling them: and, in the past (as He explained too), many more good people longed to hear and see what He was saying and doing and weren't able to. Scholars discuss and write about why Jesus seemingly made it difficult to be understood, by using stories or parables or riddles. In my prayer, though, talking with Jesus, maybe I should wonder and ask Him today why He chooses me to share His disciples' privileges and happiness? how much do I appreciate it, and the challenge He gives me to respond to Him? A parable, by definition, has different layers of meaning, different details carrying a wealth of teaching, encouragement, ideas, insights. Hearing once again today the parable of a farmer going out sowing seed, what has struck me freshly or with a new insight ? Has my soil been receptive, made ready, perhaps more carefully prepared for receiving the Word this day ?