a certain sow-and-sow
"Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety." —Hosea 10:12
The Lord commands us to sow justice, His word (see Mk 4:14), and our financial possessions (2 Cor 9:6). But we are not to "sow the wind," that is, emptiness (Hos 8:7). "Make no mistake about it, no one makes a fool of God! A man will reap only what he sows" (Gal 6:7).
The Lord commands us not only what to sow but also how, how much, and where to sow. Sometimes we should sow in tears as we repent of our sins (see Ps 126:5). When we sow financially, we must not be begrudging, miserly sowers but cheerful ones (2 Cor 9:7). Moreover, we must sow bountifully, not sparingly (2 Cor 9:6). Also, if we sow "in the field of the flesh," we "will reap a harvest of corruption; but if" our "seed-ground is in the spirit," we "will reap everlasting life" (Gal 6:8).
Sow in detailed obedience to the Lord. Reap eternal life.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach me sowing and to penetrate and soften my heart.
Promise: "Then He summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind." —Mt 10:1
Praise: For years now, Monica has sent her "widow's mite" to the even poorer Haitians.
Reference: (To sow His word, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 2001