One line from Isaiah (Is 55:10-11) stood out for me just now in today’s readings: “Giving seed to one who sows”. I got to wondering, just what kind of seed am I sowing in the world? What kind of fruit can be expected of it? Would I be pleased with what grows from what I sow? This sort of became an exercise for an examination of conscience. Then the Gospel today Matt 6:7-15) has Jesus giving the “Our Father” to his disciples. It is another exercise in examining my life. The image of Johnny Appleseed came to mind. He went around spreading seed for fruit trees. Apples are good to eat, a storage crop, make vinegar, and can be fermented into cider. Is anything that happens because of me good and lasting? I’d like to think so, but I’m guessing I’ve sown a few bad seeds along the way—spreading gossip, selfish acts, and so on. I’m going to try to be more like Johnny Appleseed today and every day.
