If you’re anything like me, you probably hear today’s Gospel and immediately try to identify yourself with one type of seed Jesus talks about: the seed that fell on the path, the seed that fell on rocky ground, the seed among thorns, or the seed in good soil. But have you ever stopped to wonder why the sower is throwing seeds so haphazardly? This is worth meditating on, too.

In today’s first reading, Israel’s king comes riding “on a colt, the foal of an ass.” This is a far cry from the horses and chariots the kings of other nations rode into battle as they sought to assert their authority and subdue their enemies. But Israel’s king is not like other kings; he banishes horses and the warrior’s bow, proclaiming peace to all the nations.