The parable of the seeds and soils

Many people enjoy gardening. There is great satisfaction in eating food that you have grown in your garden or admiring beautiful flowers that you have cultivated. But there is also a deep feeling of awe when we realise that we are planting seeds that have life within them that no human person can give. A gardener knows that he or she is collaborating closely with the God who gave life to each seed. But she also knows that if good soil, water, sun and care are provided the seeds will germinate and produce fruit. In today's gospel from Mark 4:1-20, Jesus is teaching a huge crowd by the lake. He got into a boat so that he could be seen and heard better and as he looked up he saw a farmer sowing corn in his field. He used that example, so well known to his hearers, to teach them an important lesson. Although some of the seed failed to germinate, enough fell on good soil to produce a rich harvest. Many people came to listen to him but not all followed him. His disciples were facing the same disappointments. We too could easily think that our world today is too broken to be fixed. But Jesus reminds us that there is much good soil, there are many loving and generous hearts. Never give up, he says. Let my word grow in your hearts and remember the words of Psalm 126, ''May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.''