The parable of the Sower and the Seed has a different emphasis than the explanation of the parable. The parable is all about the sowing. “A sower went out to sow.” The explanation of the parable talks about the success or failure of the sowing. This probably reflects the situation of the Church remembering the parable — helping people prepare their soil, their soul, to hear the word of God and keep it. The parable itself, as Jesus is recorded saying it, stresses the role of the sower — spread the seed, the word of God and seeing what happens. We shouldn’t measure, therefore, the success of our evangelizing. That is in God’s hands. Our role is to bring the good news of God’s love to everyone.