I think that anyone who has ever gardened cannot fail to resonate with today’s readings. Jesus’ simple parable of the sower uses images and language his hearers would have easily understood. They would have known, as we do, that in order to grow fruitful crops you need to plant them in well cared for, fertile soil. They would also have fully understood Isaiah’s words where he talks about the weather watering the Earth and causing seeds to sprout and plants to grow. If you plant good seeds and care for your crops you will end up with the things you want and not the weeds you don’t want.
All well and good but as any gardener, reluctant or enthusiastic knows, gardening is not just about sticking the seeds in the ground or planting the plants to produce their harvest or flowers alone. You have to add a great deal of, often back breaking, garden maintenance. That regular checking for weeds that might choke the delicate seedlings or new shoots; the peering at leaves and buds for any pests needing to be controlled and choosing the right time to pick or harvest; this takes skill and patience and often many long hours of work.
We know the facts as Matthew says, the facts of how we are called by God, through Jesus to live our lives; to hear his Word and to respond to it in all we do. God’s Word is life-giving, it may not always be easy to understand or to follow but it is there to guide us and to encourage us to try and do the right thing. Pray that you are fertile soil for God’s Word and that all that he says to you will find the correct growing conditions to thrive in. Let God’s Word live and grow in you and put that Word into action as you in turn till the soil and plant it with your actions.