20 Sept 2014 - sow what?

Grains of wheat

We are the seed that get to choose our soil.

We are the grain of wheat (or some other kind) that is sown corruptible. Unless we fall to the ground and die we will remain a single seed. We are called to sow our whole lives for others, culminating when we sow these corruptible bodies in death. When we do we produce many seeds (cf. Joh. 12:24).

Every choice we make is a choice for the kind of soil we desire.

If we dwell too close to the surface the enemy can steel the word from us. He can uproot us. We need to plant the word deeply in ourselves that we may in turn be planted deeply. To do this we must simply saturate ourselves with the word at every opportunity. We must read it, listen to it, speak it, and sing it. We must make it our home.

Once we find soil that is deep it is still ours to put down roots. We can't run hither and thither seeking the next trend, the next novelty. Wherever we find fertile ground, the word, prayer, the sacraments, or wherever else, it is our responsible to put down roots in those places. We are called to service and love of others. We are called to do this deeply. We are called beyond superficiality. We are called to be deeply rooted in the word and everything to which it calls us. Only with roots will there be fruit.

We need to sow ourselves away from the anxieties and riches and pleasures of the world. These are thorns that prevent us from thriving. They have flowers that seem nice to us. Entertainment, comfort, and pleasure are always appealing. But when we try to hold them too closely we prick our hands on the thorns. We realize that they can't satisfy in the way that the word planted in good soil can satisfy. 

The word is meant to fall on rich soil. It is meant to bear fruit in us that we can not only hold tightly but which can nourish us and our brothers and sisters.

May the LORD give us a generous and good heart to embrace the word, to plant it deeply in good soil, and to let its roots grow in us, to grow through us into the soil of his love, persevering until we bear fruit a hundredfold for the kingdom.

We are sowing our very lives for the kingdom. We need not be afraid of anything.

Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?