Christ breaks open your heart and mind so you are able to grow. Christ’s suffering reveals his ability to love the Father’s creation; it is the seed that becomes the Bread of Life.

Words are so powerful and so permanent that God created all there is in a series of utterances. Words became flesh and took on reality. God inaugurated the salvation of the world in the same way: The divine word became incarnate and indelible in Jesus.

Some seed fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

As in nature, the seeds of faith in us lay dormant and then spring to life over and again in the same way. That’s God’s way.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

God’s word is effective. Like the waters of heaven, it doesn’t return until it has made the earth fruitful. But it is also crucial to have “good ground.”

The mustard seed is small even for seeds, too small perhaps for birds to see as they fly. Yet this is the seed that Jesus picks out to represent his kingdom.

Just as at sea those who are carried away from the direction of the harbor bring themselves back on course by a clear sign . . . so scripture may guide those adrift on the sea of life back into the harbor of the divine will. —Saint Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335-c. 395 C.E.)