Last summer, like the sower in the Gospel “not knowing how this growth goes”, I, a backyard gardener, planted a new variety of French filet pole beans. In a few weeks, the beans sprouted and grew to over 8 feet tall, overpowering the trellis. The instructions read: “pick frequently to ensure a continuous crop”. The harvest came. I picked and picked, frequently, feeding ourselves and several neighbors.
Jesus says our faith can be like a seed, simple and unimpressive, but as it grows and flourishes it can do marvelous things (like nourish others’ faith).
Each of us, in our everyday lives, can bear witness to Christ, and, with the small faith we have, we can grow strong. How do we develop a strong faith? From God through prayer.
As soil, moisture, and sun nourish the seed, so prayer nourishes our faith. The instructions read: “pray frequently to ensure a strong faith.”
―George P. Sullivan, Jr. is a Jesuit-educated lay leader who helped found the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, Chicago Chapter. He and his wife, Dorothy Turek, live in Wilmette IL, and have four children and four grandchildren.