The gospel reading recently was St. Matthew’s retelling of the parable of the sower. Jesus interprets this parable for the disciples. We know the seed is the Word of God. We are the different soil the seed falls upon and the sowers are all those who proclaim the Word of God. Jesus ends the parable with the words, “whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Mat 13:9 NAB)

Each time this parable is presented I ask which soil am I? How do I make sure I am “rich soil” that produces fruit? Now, I am not much of a gardener. Moving every two to three years makes that a little more difficult but maybe there’s a little more to be drawn from this parable. Rich soil doesn’t just happen. It takes work. Those with green thumbs will say it takes the right phosphorus levels for the roots, flowers and fruits. It takes the right nitrogen levels for good leaf growth and the right potassium levels for a good immune system.

So how do I get the right mix to root, branch out and see my faith bare fruit? It starts with our Nicene Creed. Do I know it? When I pray it during Mass am I praying it or reciting it? Do I mean the words I am speaking? Speaking of Mass, do I go to Mass? When I go, do I actively participate, listen to the readings and the homily? Do I pray? Do I set aside some time each day to talk with God and listen for the response? These three things I believe can go a long way to give our faith a place to root: knowing our Creed, going to mass and praying each day.

How about the branches and leaves of our faith? Is my faith a once a week event? Or do I bring my faith with me in every leaf of my life? In my marriage? My parenting? My profession? Do I give of my time, treasure and talent to love as Christ loved in my home, church and community? Or does my faith stay behind the closed doors of my local parish? To make rich soil of ourselves I believe we need to brave the world and open ourselves up to be tilled by it by putting our faith into action.

Lastly, what is needed to help my faith fight the attacks of doubt, sin and worry? How do I boost my immune system? First, I think of the sacraments that Christ opened up for his church. Do I take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Do I sit to examine my life and ask for God’s grace to forgive, heal and change those things that pull me away from him? Do I receive the Eucharist? Do I take advantage of the opportunity to join Christ’s sacrifice and receive his grace? Do I watch my diet? If I am listening, watching, reading and digesting things that glorify everything but Christ what kind of temple am I? How can I expect the Holy Spirit to be alive and well within me if I am squeezing it out through all the worldly stuff I am taking in?

In the end, the image of rich soil gives me hope. Good soil gets its nutrients from compost. What is compost made of? Well, each of us have an ample pile of this resource in our lives. Who else besides our Maker could take the organic waste of this world (our sins) and till it until it springs forth new life. He doesn’t stop there though. Not our God. This new life will bare fruit. I love that the sower spread the seed everywhere. It wasn’t kept off the path, or protected from the birds or away from the thorns. It is broadcast everywhere. Jesus promises us the seed. We just have to prepare the soil.

Sheree Krause can be found writing at A Mother’s Epistle.

Related posts:

1. Bad Mother and Come, My Beloved: A Study in Contrasts
2. Seeing Evil Among the Good