It has been an interesting few weeks. Across our country, the political landscape continues to shift. The recent by-election success of Reform UK has prompted much discussion about the future direction of Britain. At the same time, many people around the world are following the excitement of the FIFA World Cup. One event reminds us how quickly public opinion can change; the other shows us how much preparation lies behind every success. No football team reaches the latter stages of a World Cup by accident. Behind every victory are years of training, discipline and teamwork.

Today’s readings remind us that the Kingdom of God works in a similar way. There is no harvest without preparation. There is no fruit without faithful sowing.

Hosea speaks to Israel at a time when the nation looked prosperous on the outside but was spiritually empty on the inside. They had become successful, but they had forgotten God. Their security rested on politics, military alliances and material prosperity rather than on the Lord.

Into that situation God speaks these remarkable words:

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord.”

The image is that of a farmer preparing hardened ground before planting seed. Land that has been neglected becomes hard and unproductive. Before the seed can grow, the soil must first be broken up.

Hosea is speaking about the human heart.

Sometimes our hearts become hardened by disappointment, pride, routine or self-sufficiency. We continue with life, perhaps even with religion, but God calls us to something deeper. He calls us to repentance—a turning back to Him—because only He can produce the harvest of righteousness.

Jesus continues that theme in the Gospel. Having called the twelve disciples, He now sends them out with a simple message:

“The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Before they heal, before they perform miracles, before they accomplish anything remarkable, they are to proclaim that God has drawn near in Jesus Christ.

That remains the heart of the Church’s mission today.

The Gospel is not first about politics, however important politics may be. Nor is it about sporting success, however enjoyable football may be. The greatest news the world can hear is that in Jesus Christ, God has come near to reconcile sinners to Himself and to establish His kingdom.

Like the disciples, we are ordinary people entrusted with an extraordinary message. Christ does not wait until we are perfect before He sends us. He equips those whom He calls.

So today’s question is simple: What kind of soil is my heart? Is it open to God’s word, or has it become hard and resistant? And secondly, where is Christ sending me today to bear witness to His kingdom?

As we gather around the Lord’s table, may He break up the hard ground of our hearts, sow within us the seed of His word, and send us out to proclaim, in both word and deed, that the kingdom of heaven has indeed come near.

Amen.