Greetings on this the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23
Summary
“Hear then the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word, and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Reflection
In our Gospel portion today, we are given a distinct set of outcomes and the causes of those outcomes.
While the story is told as a series of distinct and separate cases, it may be more profitable to understand them as the possible conditions of any person on any given day.
Who am I today?
Hearing without understanding.
Receiving with joy, but without allowing the word to take root.
Rooted only until trouble or persecution comes.
Surrounded by the thorns of worry and the lure of riches.
Receiving with a shrewd mind and simple faith—and bearing fruit thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.
Personal Reflection
Every day—in prayer, at work, in the home, or on the road—we must decide to seek understanding, allow Jesus’ words to touch the heart, refuse to let danger become the controlling fact, and prevent anxiety or riches from becoming our North Star.
We are called to go beyond these things.
Just today.
Today.
Let tomorrow take care of itself.
Who am I today?
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry