A man once decided he was going to ‘grow the Kingdom of God’—literally. He went out, bought packets of seeds labelled ‘Faith,’ ‘Hope,’ and ‘Love,’ and planted them in his backyard. He watered them, sang hymns over them, even preached to them. Weeks passed… and nothing happened. Confused, he told his priest, who smiled and said, ‘Maybe try growing it in people, not your lawn.’

That story, silly as it is, gets to the heart of today’s Gospel: the parable of the sower. Firstly, Jesus sits down assuming the attitude of an ancient teacher and judge. Then he tells of a farmer who tosses seed everywhere. On a path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil. Is the sower careless or generous?

The nature of the sowing signifies that the Good News must go out to everyone with an abundance mindset, not a scarcity mindset. Jesus is not selective or stingy with his message. He spreads the Word (which is himself!) far and wide. And yes, that means sometimes it lands in places where it doesn’t take root. But when it hits good soil, the results are incredible.

The key is the condition of the soil—our hearts. Jesus, the Word made flesh, wants to be planted deep within us, where no worry, distraction, or shallow thinking can kill it, and he wants us to do the same for others.

Let Christ be sown deeply in you so that when you are with others, they may see you, and when they see you, they may see Christ. Then, go into the world proclaiming the Good News.

By Fr Isaac Falzon