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“A sower went out to sow…”
Luke 8:4…

Today’s gospel, which I had first known as the parable of the sower, later became for me the parable of the different kinds of soil.

Most often my reflections were not about watching the sower at work, but more about realising that the seed of God is in me so how am I responding? What kind of soil am I?

Today I’m considering this parable again from a different perspective due to the enthusiastic response of so many FFF readers to my sharing of Pope Francis homily yesterday. For so many Francis is a sower of seeds of hope and promise.

But I’m thinking that Pope Francis will have no idea of our response to the seeds of new life and healing that his words gave us yesterday calling us to freedom, creativity and dialogue.

In the same way you and I have little idea of the healing or harm caused by our words and actions this week.

I suppose the farmer driving the seed-drill has no idea which of the seeds he places in the drill will grow to harvest, and which will come to nothing. No problem for the farmer who just sows the seeds anyway.

Jesus help me to be more careful, more aware of the power of my words and actions…

…and help me to trust Lord that my words and efforts do bear fruit.

I’m reminded of this wonderful prayer, well known to us. You might like to listen to John Rutter’s setting of “Lord Make me an Instrument…. Let me sow…” at this link.