Study: What are some virtues that you would like to cultivate in your life? What are some vices that need to be weeded out?
Pray: Everyday provides a new opportunity for personal growth. Ask the Lord for the strength and wisdom to grow in holiness.
Serve: Name one little thing you can do for another; now make it happen.
Since returning to the Cathedral as rector five years ago, one thing I miss is gardening. Time is precious, and my current work does not readily lend itself to the effort it takes to keep a garden. Yet all things being equal, there is no place I would rather be than rooting around in the dirt – picking weeds, pruning, staking, watering, hoeing, and “looking at” the plants.
Gardening is a metaphor that teaches us about ministry and life. Spending time in the garden forces us to slow down and attend to a cycle that is not our own. We pay closer attention to the wonder and beauty of nature, and we can be surprised and amazed by what we see.
Plants truly are hopeful optimists in a world of pessimism. Every year my flowers and vegetables produce thousands of seeds, each seed capable of new and beautiful life. Yet for all these seeds only a few survive. Some are taken as produce, some by the weather, and some by the rabbits!
Nature knows that life is difficult. There are so many obstacles and challenges in the world that it is essential to cast hundreds and thousands of seeds, just so that a few might be able to continue the cycle of life. The power of nature is that even a few seeds can change the landscape, bringing nourishment and beauty to the earth.
Jesus knew this. He spoke to hundreds and thousands of the hope and life that are possible in His Father’s Kingdom. He cured countless people and preached tirelessly to any who would hear. Like the garden plants, he cast LOTS of seed.
Yet many people did not act on his message. Many mocked him, plotted against him, or simply walked away. Some got excited for a time, but then they got bored, discouraged, or caught up in other interests. Simply put, much of the seed cast by Jesus was lost or destroyed.
Yet in his parable to the crowds Jesus shows his tremendous hope. It only takes a few seeds for an incredible harvest! A 30x, 60x, or 100x harvest was amazing in the ancient world (and it is not too shabby today!). For those who heed the word of God, they, too, will yield a crop that will defy worldly doubt.
I’m willing to bet that all of us continue to carry the Lord’s seed in our lives. The invitation today is that it will take root and flourish in our hearts. We are given the chance to garden our souls, fostering a faith that is worthy of the Lord’s harvest.
Three Great Things 
July 13th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Virtues & vices come, go & some stay (virtues) as we live through this physical & spiritual world:) 3- things we need to attach to are: Faith, Hope, & Love.
Faith- to do God’s will every second of our lives.
Hope- , to believe in what we cannot see.
Love- to always say & do for others.
The ‘Theological vitrues- faith, hope, love’ are the hardest, but BEST to sow & plant:):) The garden of our souls that foster & make us worthy of the Lord’s harvest.
Yes Fr., the Lord’s seed is carried in all our hearts. This seed keeps us strong. A crop that will defy worldly doubt & anything that may hurt us. The LOTS of seeds that Christ sowed brings us fauth, hope and love as we live this physical life. I pray for all seeds (souls) lost. All is possible through Him, with Him, & in Him:):)