Johnny Cash, as he came to really embrace his Christian faith, once said: “Being a Christian isn’t for sissies. It takes a real man to live for God — a lot more man than to live for the devil, you know? If you really want to live right these days, you gotta be tough.”

How true that is. For while grace is amazing, it does require a response if the seeds of faith are going to grow, something this week’s Gospel hits home to us on this 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Jesus talks about the seeds, much like the faith, falling on different types of soil. Some seed falls on the path and is quickly gone due to the birds eating it; other seed goes on rocky ground and the soil isn’t deep so it dies quickly in the sun; other seeds are choked off by the weeds, but the seed falling on rich soil produces much fruit. Jesus explains then that the seed on the path that the birds take up is like those who hear the word of the kingdom without understanding it; the seeds on rocky soil that dies quickly is compared to those who hear the word of God and do not understand it and walk away when the going gets tough; the seed getting caught amongst the thorns is likened to the things of the world choking off a person’s faith; but the seed on rich soil is for those who hear the word and understand it.

I love this Gospel, because it reminds us that faith requires work. All of us who are Christian need to take this Gospel to heart both with ourselves and the world.

With respect to ourselves, formal faith formation for many of us ended with Confirmation. But in the years that followed, hopefully it’s continued to grow. It grows through going to Mass and prayer, but also daily introspection asking ourselves what sins do we battle or maybe overlook, and also looking for ways to learn our faith more deeply.

This also is so important to do with others too though, because people are truly all over the map with respect to faith formation.

With respect to the seed taken by the birds being the people who don’t understand the faith, I think of people who are raised in households where the faith is taught as something that is one among many. If you know people like that (or at times that person is you) especially with extended family or grandkids, take the opportunity to explain to them what the faith is about. Give them a tour of the church or invite them to Mass with you. Pray with them, not just for them. Don’t fear being an evangelist.

Then there are those who don’t understand the faith. This can include the daily Mass goer or the person who hasn’t been to Mass in sometime; there’s a lot of misinformation out there. So, this is why it’s so important to learn the faith and understand it – why do we do what we do, pray how we pray, and what are the meaning behind the words? We should look for ways then to articulate it to others.

Lastly there are the people who go through challenges in life and lose their way with respect to the faith. Others just don’t see the faith as relevant to them so focus on the things of the world. We must remind them that all that is before us passes away, but life with God is forever. Our faith can be challenged, but may we never forget God is always with us, and when others are tempted to give up, we need to be there for them too to listen to them, but also give them encouragement that they are not alone in their suffering.

Growing in the faith truly takes work, and our job is twofold – to grow in the faith ourselves but to also help others on their faith journey. There is so much to distract us, and it’s so easy to fall away. Let’s work hard to keep our eyes, and those of one another, fixed on the goal of heaven by bearing fruit together.

God bless,

Fr. Paul

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July 12, 2026