You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek. — Psalm 110:4b

Mass Readings: Hebrews 10:11-18/Mark 4:1-20 

Growing Faith 

I fancy myself a weekend gardener. I plant and weed and cross my fingers each spring, but usually by mid-summer most things haven’t sprouted a single flower, and the plants that have survived are shriveled and pale. I try to blame drought, rain, heat, and deer, but most of the fault sits squarely on my shoulders. I just don’t take enough time to water and fertilize, prune and replant. 

As Jesus reminds us today in the Parable of the Sower, the seed that does not land in deep, fertile soil will never produce fruit. Our faith lives need the good soil of Scripture, the fertilizer of prayer, the support stakes of community, and the overall nourishment of Eucharist if we’re to bear fruit in this world. How are we tending our spiritual garden today? 

Prayer: Gracious Creator, give me the diligence to nourish the seeds of faith You have planted.