Most of us don’t think of ourselves as sowers or farmers, planting seeds to produce a crop. While some of us might identify as hobby gardeners who cultivate trees, plants and flowers to create a place of natural beauty, most of us have lost touch with the earth and spend most of our day in offices, cars and homes before a screen. But ‘sowing’ is so much more than this.

Jesus, the ‘sower’, does not tire of sowing generously. He knows our terrain, he knows that the stones of our inconstancy and the thorns of our vices can suffocate the Word, yet he hopes, he always hopes that we can bear abundant fruit. This is what the Lord does, and this is what we too are called to do: to sow tirelessly.

Pope Francis (Angelus address 16 July 2023) reminds parents that ‘they sow goodness and faith in their children, and they are called to do so without being discouraged if at times, their children seem not to understand or to appreciate their teachings, or if the mentality of the world is against them. The good seed remains. This is what counts, and it will take root in due time.’

Let us remember with gratitude those who have placed the seed of faith in our own lives. We can ask ourselves: do we sow the seeds of goodness, love and mercy in the lives of others? Do we get discouraged if we don’t see immediate results? May we take some time today to identify what it is we are ‘sowing’ in our own lives and the lives of others and ask the Holy Spirit to help us to be generous and joyful sowers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

by Mike Humphrys