This week, the theme of planting seeds of faith and letting them grow is front and center in our readings but the idea of having hope and patience is also there. Each time a seed is planted - whether an actual seed or a seed of faith - we need to have patience and nourish it if we can. And when a seed grows into something much larger and stronger, we experience a miracle. The seeds of faith take root and often grow slowly, with hidden and mysterious nourishment from God. We may not even be aware of it until it’s grown rather large. It’s not easy in this day and age, but patience is needed by all of us who wait for the reign of God!