The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.

Parables on the Kingdom of Heaven

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid. Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field.

His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’

His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’

So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy.

Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people:

Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.

Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away.

Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!”

I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

And while they still could not believe it (because of their joy) and were amazed, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

So they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete.

I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.

I tell you the solemn truth, you will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy.

When a woman gives birth, she has distress because her time has come, but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the suffering because of her joy that a human being has been born into the world.

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete.

But now I am coming to you, and I am saying these things in the world, so they may experience my joy completed in themselves.

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of joy with your presence.’

So there was great joy in that city.