SAINT APOLLINARIS, BISHOP AND MARTYR (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

A sower went out to sow.

It can be easy to skip over this sentence since it is at the beginning of Jesus’ parable. But in these few simple words, Jesus gives us a glimpse of his Father as a God who sows generously. Let’s take a few moments to let that truth sink in.

Imagine the eager anticipation of a farmer who is about to plant his crop. He has chosen the land. He has tilled and prepared the soil. He has selected his seeds. He has planned how he will care for the field throughout the planting and growing season so that the land produces a good yield. And so, with the seeds in hand, the sower goes out to sow.

Our heavenly Father is like this farmer. He has carefully chosen us and laid out his plans for us even before we were born (see Jeremiah 1:5). Now, when he looks at us, he eagerly anticipates the work he will do in our lives and the fruit that we will bear.

God is well aware of the hard paths, the rocky ground, or the thorns that are in our hearts. He knows the distractions, the shallowness, and the worries we face. But even when the soil of our hearts seems unwelcoming, God still sows the seed of his word. He is confident that our hearts can become more fertile. During difficult times, as we call out to him and do our best to say yes to him, those life circumstances “till the soil” and help make us more fruitful.

God has an unlimited supply of different types of seeds to sow into our hearts. One day it might be a word from the day’s Mass readings or meditation. Another day it might be something a friend or family member says to us. He knows the best time to plant these seeds and just when we will be receptive to them so that they can take root in us.

And the fruit that might come from God’s planting? One day you find love growing for a family member you struggled to tolerate. Or you find yourself more prayerful and peaceful when you used to worry. Or you talk with a suffering neighbor and bring comfort and hope to them.

All because God, the sower, went out to sow!

“Father, I offer you my heart. May your word bear rich fruit in my life!”

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
Matthew 13:1-9