Scripture – Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 NIV
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
From Tammy Smits
Perhaps it is because I have been spending a lot of time in my gardens these days that moved me to choose this passage. The Parable of the Sower is a familiar one - the seeds sown on the side of the path are those who hear the message but don’t understand, the seeds on rocky soil receive the message but abandon it when trouble arrives, the seeds sown in the bushes are choked out by everyday worries, and the seeds sown in good soil hear, understand and bear fruit.
As a relatively novice gardener, I am trying to learn how to grow plants, both flowers and vegetables, well. My Facebook feed is full of “co-planting hacks” with an overwhelming amount of suggestions on what to plant to support soil health, attract pollinators, deter pests and produce healthy plants. Different plants have different needs and provide different benefits.
Then I remembered the Indigenous practice of the “3 Sisters”, where corn, beans and squash are planted together - the corn is a trellis for the beans, the beans nourish the soil, and the squash suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Like plants, people have different needs, flourish in different environments and provide different benefits. Perhaps if we are seeds sown by God, we are sown to help each other flourish.
Maybe you are a squash who can choke out someone else’s worries and fears. Maybe you are a corn, who can give someone a lift when needed. Maybe you are a bean, who can feed and nourish others, be it physically or spiritually.
Sadly, despite our best efforts as gardeners, not every seed germinates and not every plant bears fruit; but as seeds of the spirit, we can help those around us to achieve their maximum potential with God’s love and sunshine fueling the process.
Contemplation and Conversation
What do you need to flourish? How can you help others flourish?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for fueling us to support each other,
recognizing our differences can be mutually beneficial instead of competitive.
Help us to thrive through togetherness. Amen.
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