God planted the seed of faith in each one of us, and He wants us to take a good care of it so that it may grow. Today in the Gospel reading Jesus proposed to us a parable to warn us what to do and what to avoid in order to make that seed grow in us. So, first we need to be careful of the evil one that is present and will always try to tempt and distract us -- “the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved.” Second, remember that it is not only about strong feelings and moving spiritual experiences. Growing in faith is an ongoing and constant work, not only in the joyous moments of life: “they receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.” Third, remember that this world and even the people around us would try to convince us that there is no God, and our efforts are useless -- they have heard the word but “they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit.” We need to pray so that we become good rich soil in which the seed of faith may grow and produce much fruit. “They are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
