That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: 'A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell amongst thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.' (cf. Matthew 13.1-9)

Naturally, we all want to flourish like the seeds that fall on good ground. Pupils discussed how we can make this happen in our lives. What attitude, habits and character do we need if we are going to be the best we can be at school and beyond? How can we help nurture these qualities in ourselves and each other? What role might religious faith, holy scripture, prayer and worship have in helping us grow into the best people we can be?

Paul Bryant
Lay Chaplain and Co-ordinator of SMSC