How's it growing?

The Scripture readings for this coming Sunday talk about rain and seeds and harvests. The natural world can teach us a lot about life and faith, if we take the time to pay attention.

We've been having a lot of storms this week; the dry ground has been getting a lot of rain.  What do you and your children notice happens when it rains? Do the plants and grass like it, does it help them to grow (too quickly, mutters the one who has to mow the lawn!)? That rain is doing its job well then, isn't it? In the first reading we learn that just like rain, God's Word (and we call Jesus the "Word of God") is effective... coming to earth and making a difference, helping us to grow and feel refreshed ... how does Jesus do THAT for you?

And in the Gospel, Jesus is telling a story (a parable is a story with a message) about a farmer and the seeds he sows. Maybe you could do an experiment with your children with a packet of seeds and different types of soil ... good rich stuff, the hard clay, maybe even the concrete on your driveway and a patch of weeds! Throw some seed on each place, push it down lightly if you can and give it a drink of water....  what happens over the next week or two? (the seed on the driveway will probably just get washed away) The translation that I've linked to at the beginning of this post only has the short version of the Gospel, but here you can find the full text, which includes Jesus' explanation of the different places the seed fell. What are ways that you can help your child to grow in his or her faith (plant them in good soil?)?

Post a comment and share your ideas, please!