Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower suggests that the seed, being the Word of God, falls on four types of grounds - the path, rocky ground, thorny ground, and rich ground. One is naturally drawn to discern which one of these grounds best corresponds to one's faith and openness to the Word. But what if that is not so? What if all four types of grounds are found in a single believer?

Perhaps a more realistic understanding of the parable is as human beings, our receptivity to the Word does not operate in a vacuum. How open or closed we are to ideas and suggestions depends on the way they are put to us by people around us. It also takes into account our mood and state of mind when we hear them. If I did not sleep well the night before, or am already having a bad day, chances are that I'm not going to be very open to anything said to me.

So, it is not too far-fetched to imagine that the four soils of daily life exist in all of us. The solution is to be aware of this, and with the mindfulness of one who is in touch with the Spirit of God, strive to listen with an open mind and heart. In so doing, we consciously move away from the edge of the path towards the good rich soil, while navigating the rocky and thorny patches of our daily life.