If you had a tiny seed—say an apple seed—and you wanted it to grow into a strong tree, full of good apples, what would you do? First, you’d find a sunny spot with rich soil for planting. A place protected from harsh winds. You’d water and feed it. You’d cultivate the soil around it to keep the weeds from stealing its nourishment. You’d protect it from attacks of pests. After several years of this loving care, your tree would bloom and produce good fruit. The same process holds for our spiritual lives. Jesus uses the parable of the mustard seed to teach His disciples about how faith can grow (Lk 17:5-6; Mat 13:32).
For the seed of faith—the Word of God—to grow in our lives, we must plant it in the rich, loamy soil of our hearts. If our hearts are hardened to God, our faith will not grow: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 95:7-8). Just like the apple seedling, we must nourish our spiritual lives with food, water, and light in Christ Jesus. Jesus feeds us in the Eucharist, the bread of life (Jn 6:22-59). He gives us the water of life (Jn 4:7-15), and He is the light of the world (Jn: 8:12). He is the “son-light” that the planting of our faith needs to thrive. We must protect our spiritual lives from the winds of worldly distractions that pull us away from our prayer life. We must keep the weeds of sin away from our hearts through the sacrament of Reconciliation. We must be prepared for spiritual battle and defend it from attacks of the evil one who seeks to destroy us. Then our loving care will become fruitful in virtue and good works—the good fruits of our spiritual planting.
Lord Jesus, help me to care for my spiritual life so that I can bear good fruit for you and build up Your Kingdom.