Hear this! A sower went out to sow. Mark 4:3

I was raised on a 300-acre farm and have early memories of sowing the seeds of our crops - corn, oats, wheat, barley and hay.  I especially recall Dad sowing alfalfa seed.  When the ground was plowed and smoothed, he would walk through the fields carrying the seed and cranking our handheld sower.  I would
help by clearing rocks from the field.

I often wonder what images Jesus had in mind when he spoke of sowing seed. He said the seed is like the word of God and we are the soil.  Frivolous distractions and excessive worldly cares are the thorns and the weeds that choke the seed.  Jesus assures us if we are open and ready to receive his word it will produce rich and lasting spiritual fruit in our lives.

Lord, we stand ready to receive your words of life.

Fr. James McKarns

They all ate and were satisfied. Mark 6:42

We're in the week of rude awakenings.  Our lives are getting back to normal after Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and New Year's.  Many of us spent too much money trying to fill emotional and physical holes with family and friends.  Now we've found the holes are still there, along with new ones in our bank accounts. No matter how noble or selfless our intentions, excess in this world doesn't satisfy long-term.

The disciples despaired at the cost of feeding the crowd, saying they'd need 200 days of wages.  And yet, they learned that with Christ, five loaves and two fish were more than sufficient.  As we work on resolutions to spend, eat and drink less, may we also resolve to trust more in the master's love, which feeds and satisfies like nothing else.

Lord, I praise your name.  True satisfaction begins and ends with you.

Melanie Rigney