Being called to a big and important task can make the best of us feel fearful and anxious. Similarly with Jeremiah - he objects being called saying that he is too young and no one will take him seriously. Besides that, he cannot speak well. But this is not about Jeremiah, it is about God. God does not ask us to do what is beyond our capabilities. He will give us the power and support that we need and with God's help we can do great things.

Why do some people respond to the word of God and others reject it? Why do some accept it at first but gradually lose interest letting their faith wither and die? The parable of the sower attempts to explain the mystery using the metaphor of seed and soil. For the seed of God's word to grow and bear fruit, there must be good soil. That is where we come in. Faith must be nourished and tended. This includes good habits, healthy relationships, sincerity and honesty, and openness to the deeper questions of life. Cynicism and narrow mindedness will smother any faith that is attempting to grow, as will selfishness and unkindness. Most importantly, the word that we hear must be taken into our hearts and minds and put into practice in our daily lives. Only then does it take root and begin to flourish. Each day we are given opportunities to nourish the growth of God's word within us. These opportunities are found in the people we meet and the situations we find ourselves in each day. Let us tend the word of God with patience, kindness, and prayer.