Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10 / Matthew 13:1-9
For those of us who live in an urban environment, it is often said that we live in a concrete jungle.
But even though it may be a concrete jungle, we know our way around, we have electricity at our disposal and gadgets to get on with our work and other devices for our entertainment.
But when we move out to the countryside, we may be awed by nature with its so many varieties with its sounds and colours and to see how animals and plants grow and multiply.
If we were shown some seeds, we may not be able to identify them to their species nor will we know what type of plant or tree it they would grow into.
But certainly God will know, and He creates with a divine plan and order that each seed will have a future of growth and add to the wonder and beauty of His creation.
And even for us, as the prophet Jeremiah says in the 1st reading, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you."
Each of us have a purpose in God's plan. For Jeremiah it was to be a prophet to the nations.
But like the seeds in the gospel parable, there will be challenges and difficulties when it comes to fulfilling God's plan and purpose for us.
But like what the Lord told Jeremiah: There, I am putting my words into your mouth. Look today I am setting you over nations and over kingdoms, to tear up and to knock down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
May our ears listen to the Word of God so that our mouths will always be ready to speak His Word and to bear a harvest for the Lord.