The Gospel this weekend speaks about sowing seeds.  Jesus reminds us that any seed that is sowed on good and fertile soil will yield a rich harvest.  The challenge the Gospel presents to us this week is two-fold.  First, how fertile is the soil of our hearts.  In other words, when the seed of faith is planted, how are we nurturing and nourishing that seed so as to produce an abundant harvest.  Some of the ways in which we nurture and nourish the growth of that seed of faith is by receiving the Sacraments.  In particular, the Eucharist and Confession.  Other ways are through prayer, reading of the Sacred Scripture, and practicing the Corporeal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.  The second challenge is how well have we planted the seeds within the hearts and the lives of others.  Jesus is not the only Sower.  We, too, are called to plant seeds.  It is not enough, however, to just plant a seed.  We, also, must take the opportunity to help nurture and nourish that which has been planted in the lives of others.