And as for…the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15 RSVCE)
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:7, RSVCE)
“…truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from hence to yonder place,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Mathew 17:20, RSVCE)
It’s Spring and gardeners and farmers will soon be planting seeds for a later harvest. Seeds are amazing. They are so small and unassuming, yet they are powerful, for they contain the very essence of life itself.
Most natural seeds need to be buried, planted in the damp darkness of soil. Away from the light, they break apart, sprout, and open to stretch toward the light and warmth they sense beyond the darkness they are in. Only then do they become what they are actually meant to be.
Likewise, we have been given spiritual “seeds” by our Heavenly Father. Faith, hope and charity come to us in seed form. Like all seeds, they are small but potent, for they contain life; not natural life (bios), but the supernatural Life of God (zoe). But like all seeds, they must “die” to their seed form in order to release the growth that is potential in them. Scripture tells us that seeds that fall on good “soil” will grow and flourish. The seed itself is good and powerful in its potential but its effects are not automatic.
These seeds of faith, hope and love must also be “planted” so that they can be transformed. They must receive the nourishment, warmth and light of the living and active Word of God so they can accomplish the purpose for which God gave them to us. They are meant to help us through the challenges of our life’s pilgrimage and bring us finally and forever into the Father’s house.
So where do these spiritual seeds need to be “planted”? In the darkness of our suffering and struggles which Jesus predicted: in this world you will have trouble, but be not dismayed for I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
The seed of faith we have received as a gift will grow only in darkness. If I choose to affirm my faith in God’s goodness in the face of seemingly unanswered prayer, my faith will grow. If I make an act of faith that the God who loves me is with me in this dark valley when I feel most helpless and alone, I may sense some growth within . And if I claim his promise that in all things He is working for my ultimate good no matter how terrible things might seem at the moment, it’s then that the seed of my faith is changing, breaking open, stretching towards the Light of Jesus and causing new growth in me.
Similarly with the virtue of hope. I can choose to redirect the eyes of my heart away from my current situation to the goal he has promised to those who are faithful: an eternity of joy, peace, satisfaction and delight lived bodily in his presence, the attainment of all the desires of my heart. I can fortify myself with Scriptures that remind me of his promises, and perhaps this can help me to wait more patiently, more hopefully.
And finally, I can exercise charity by generously giving my time, my attention, and my treasure to those around me without demanding – or even secretly expecting – anything in return. If I try to do this especially with those who are difficult to love (even my “enemies”; those who don’t like me and perhaps wish me ill), my love grows a little.
None of this can be done in our own strength. That is why we need to rely entirely on the supply which our Heavenly Father has provided: his very Spirit’s life within us. He is the One who will help us to remain firm in faith, patient in hope and generous in love.
God has given us the seeds of faith, hope and charity that they might be “planted” in the challenges and difficulties of our lives. He’s the Gardener. Let’s be good soil as befits his good seed.
Lessons From Love School 