From today’s Scripture: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path…Some seed fell on rocky ground….Some seed fell among thorns…. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.”—Lk 8:4-8

Have you ever wondered if your particular vocation is making any difference in people’s lives? This parable has the answer. The sower’s job is to sow. He can do a few things to help the seeds grow, but the growth does not solely depend on him. In my role as a vocation counselor, I will be terribly disappointed if my work’s meaning is based on seeing immediate, tangible, dramatic results. That is where hope comes in: I simply trust that in some mysterious ways the Lord is working through me even when I cannot see the effects.

This is important to remember because it saves us from experiencing deep anger and resentment when we think we have failed in our job of sowing the seeds as parents, spouses, teachers, or priests. The surprise and shock of the parable is that one-fourth of the seed produces truly extraordinary results, even to a hundredfold, abundantly making up for the loss. Jesus reminds us that God’s kingdom is that way: Extraordinary results come despite apparent failure. That inspires me to keep sowing with abandon! Even though only a small portion of what is sown bears fruit, nonetheless God assures an abundant harvest. Let us keep sowing then!

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help us to trust in you, knowing that you are at work in our lives. Amen!

Today’s author is Wilmar Zabala, Glenmary’s vocation counselor, who helps men discern their call to serve in the home missions.

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