07/19/2026

Jesus' Parable of the Sower usually leads us to think about the different kinds of soil on which the seed falls: rocky ground, thorny ground, hardened paths, and rich, fertile earth. We naturally ask ourselves, "What kind of soil is my heart?"
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That's an important question. But perhaps there's another one worth asking before we even get to the soil: What kind of seeds are being planted?

In Jesus' day, farming was a rather simple process. A farmer scattered seed broadly and waited to see what would grow. Today, we're a bit more sophisticated. During gardening season, most of us don't simply toss seeds into the yard and hope for the best. We choose quality seeds, prepare the soil, water regularly, provide fertilizer, make sure plants have enough sunlight, protect them from insects, and give them room to grow. We know that healthy plants require ongoing care. Our faith is much the same.

The seed of faith planted in us at Baptism is meant to grow into something strong, healthy, and fruitful. Like any living thing, it needs nourishment. We might ask ourselves: Is my faith receiving what it needs to flourish? Am I making time for prayer? Am I faithful to Sunday Mass? Do I serve others? Am I connected to a community of believers? Are there weeds or pests in my spiritual life—habits, sins, or unhealthy ideas—that are slowly choking my relationship with God?

Perhaps we can think of it this way: prayer is like fertilizer, helping faith grow deeper roots. The Eucharist is like water, sustaining spiritual life week after week. Serving others tills the soil, while Christian community provides the warmth and encouragement that helps faith thrive.

But here's the key point: healthy plants eventually produce seeds. The same is true of our spiritual lives. A mature, healthy faith naturally bears fruit and produces "seeds of faith" that are passed on to others—especially to our children and grandchildren, but also to friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone whose life we touch.

We sometimes joke that making a Christian is easy: "Just add (holy) water!" Baptism is, of course, the beginning of the Christian life. But Baptism alone does not guarantee that faith will flourish. Seeds must be nourished if they are to become healthy plants.

Gardeners know that after a seed germinates, it becomes a seedling. At first, that tiny plant survives on the nutrients stored within the seed itself. Only later does it become strong enough to draw nourishment from the soil and sunlight on its own.

Children often grow in faith in much the same way. Their faith initially depends upon the "stored reserves" they receive from parents, grandparents, and other faithful adults. Long before they can make mature decisions for themselves, they absorb what they see and experience. They learn whether prayer matters, whether Sunday Mass is important, whether forgiveness is real, and whether following Christ brings joy.

This helps explain something we've learned over the past several decades. Catholic schools and parish religious education programs are invaluable, but they cannot replace the witness of a living faith at home. Programs can teach the faith, but the strongest seeds are produced by people whose own faith is alive and growing.

Healthy plants produce healthy seeds.

That is why today's Gospel is not simply asking about the “soil” of our souls. It also invites us to consider the condition of the plant of faith already growing within us. Most of us would not be in church today if there weren't at least something growing. The more important question is: What kind of condition is it in? Is it flourishing, or merely surviving? Is it producing fruit that others can receive?

The encouraging news is that cultivating faith is not rocket science. Like gardening, it begins with the basics: consistency, dedication, follow-through. This is seen in consistent prayer, regular participation in the sacraments, service to others, learning our faith, and persevering day after day. We certainly do our part, but ultimately it is God who provides the grace, just as the sun and the soil provide what no gardener can manufacture. Our role is to cooperate with Him.

The seeds of faith we sow—in our families, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our parish—will have the greatest chance of taking root when they come from lives that are deeply rooted in Christ.

So as we reflect on the Parable of the Sower, let's remember: it's not just about the soil; it's also about the seeds. And healthy plants produce healthy seeds. The best way to pass on the faith is to let God continue growing it within us first.

– Rev. James F. Hurlbert

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