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Seed of faith is gift from god
Based on Ez 17:22-24; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34
This Sunday’s readings highlight seeds and the need for ongoing growth in our faith.
Jesus often told parables – simple stories from daily life to help people understand something important. Jesus used parables to get people to think about his teaching and change their lives.
Summer is almost here. With the arrival of warm temperatures, nature is bursting with green trees, flowering shrubs and a colorful array of flowers. People are busy planting seeds for vegetable and flower gardens.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of seeds and plants, of growth and the kingdom.
The seed of faith is a gift from God planted in our souls at baptism. In order to grow in faith and our relationship with Christ, God continually nourishes us with his grace.
Our call to holiness is not an instant makeover but a lifelong, slow growth. With trust and confidence in God’s help, we must make steady efforts to seek Christ by following him and the examples of the saints, by following the church’s teachings and by partaking of the sacraments.
As we grow in love, kindness, understanding and forgiveness and share with others, God’s kingdom can grow.
Because spiritual growth takes time, spending time alone with God in daily prayer is necessary in order to follow God’s directions, to fulfill his purposes for us and bear fruit for his kingdom. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said, “The fundamental condition in order to be able to speak about God is to speak with God.”
Lord Jesus, thank you for the beauty of nature and the splendor of your presence. Help us to cultivate the grace you plant in our souls. Give us generous hearts.
