3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Scatter seed on the land. (Mark 4:26)
Have you ever planted seeds from a packet and sat back to see what would happen? With very little attention -- just a little water and some sunshine -- you soon see little sprouts popping up through the soil. It's like watching a miracle!
This is similar to what the sower in today's parable does. His method may not be the best in terms of growing a food crop, but it does illustrate an approach to evangelization that probably feels more natural to us.
Sometimes, when we feel the Spirit nudging us to reach out to someone, we can overthink it: "What will I say? What will I do? What if he asks a question I can't answer?" But that wouldn't be the situation if we were to sow the seeds of the gospel as liberally as this farmer. Perhaps there are ways to reach out and bless people without it feeling forced or uncomfortable.
Start by thinking about your personality. Are you an encourager? Or maybe you find little ways to help a co-worker who always seems overworked. Or you might love spending time with people, or you like to bring people little gifts that make them happy: a cup of coffee on a cold morning or a plate of cookies for an afternoon snack at the office.
Guess what? These are all "seeds" you can sow. They are much more than kind gestures; they are signs that you are actively going out of your way to bless the people around you.
Now, imagine that a prayer is behind every seed, a prayer that your gesture will help draw that person a little closer to Christ. What power could be released!
As you go about your day, don't worry about how to talk to someone about your faith. Just live your life with a focus on the people around you. That's the secret to evangelization. Your witness may come through words, but it may come through consistently loving and caring for someone who needs it. Don't be discouraged if you don't see fruit right away. Today's parable reassures us that the seeds are growing and sprouting, almost of their own accord. Your job is just to scatter as many of them as you can.
"Lord, teach me to be a scatterer of seeds that will draw people to you!"
2 Samuel 11:1-10, 13-17
Psalm 51:3-7, 10-11
Daily Marriage Tip for January 29, 2016:
Have a quick temper? Try counting to ten inside your head before saying something you'll regret later. Taking a deep breath helps regain peace, too.