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First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Responsorial: Psalm 65:10-14
Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
My brothers and sisters, in today’s readings we find some interesting passages about a fruitful faith life. St. Paul tells us in Romans about the new creation ready to be born, (Romans 8:18-23). Isaiah tells us about rains and snow that come down from heaven to nourish the ground and to make it fertile, (Isaiah 55:10). Even our psalm today speaks to us about the fruitful harvest following the rains, (Psalm 65:10-14). And Jesus tells us the familiar Gospel story about the sower who spread seeds. The seed that fell on the path was eaten by the birds. The seeds that fell on rocky ground were scorched because they could not develop deep roots. The seed that fell among the thorns was choked. But the seed that fell on rich soil flourished (Matthew 13:1-9).
I think it’s clear that the point of the Gospel is to challenge how receptive we are to the Word of God.
I think this is not a once and done sort of question. As I reflect on my life, I think there were times when the soil of my heart was like each of Jesus’ examples. But Jesus did not give up on me. That’s certainly true for all of us, and that is good news!
I think this is important to keep in mind because this is why we as adults, parents, godparents, uncles and aunts, grandparents, try to model a fruitful faith life for our children.
I find it interesting – well, actually a little discouraging – that people criticize events like retreats, pilgrimages, mission trips or large youth events like World Youth Day. I remember reading an article years ago about bishops who criticized Pope John Paul II for it suggesting that while the event draws large numbers from Europe, for example, mass attendance especially among young people continued to decline in Europe.
I suppose the idea is that there should be a direct and immediate correlation between participating in some sort of spiritual event like these and mass attendance. Is that really realistic? Is that even a biblical message?
I think these sorts of critiques miss the point. Organizers of these events of course need to do their part to try to plan a sacred and holy and (dare I say it) fun experience. But you can’t hold organizers or spiritual events accountable for the choices participants make. You see, people participate in spiritual events for all sorts of reasons. Our task as disciples – our task as evangelizers is to spread the seed of the Good News. We need to share the Good News of Jesus Christ all the time with everyone we encounter. We have no idea how God’s Word will touch other people. And you know what, we don’t have to know. Jesus never promised us that we will realize the fruit of our work in our lifetimes. Oh, sure, it would be awesome if they ask us questions, if they want to talk about it or even try coming with us to mass. But that is not our goal.
We meet people where they are. We might have the privilege of walking with them on their journey, but we might not. The seed we cast might lie dormant for years and years. Maybe sometime in the future long after we’re gone, the conditions will be right – their hearts might be ready, and the Spirit might burst forth from that seed and bear much fruit.
I believe we don’t need fewer opportunities for evangelization. We need more opportunities for evangelization. The challenge for the disciple is to find out what Jesus is saying to us right here and right now. What is it Christ calling us to do?
For those who are not yet disciples or who might not even be believers and who might be listening today, I think our readings today present a unique challenge. Perhaps you’ve been on a pilgrimage or retreat or mission trip or large faith event like World Youth Day. Maybe you’ve felt something, but you haven’t followed up on it. Are you willing to find out a little more? Are you willing to see for yourself if Jesus is real and if He is trying to speak with you? An atheist or agnostic who isn’t willing to explore isn’t wise – they’re just lazy. Would you take a little time to listen? And that leads us to our homework today.
Homework! Having been fed twice by Christ in the Word of God and in the Eucharist, I encourage you to try this exercise at least once this week.
Sometime during the day, perhaps before or after mass, sit down somewhere where you won’t be disturbed for the next 10 to 15 minutes, and try to focus on hearing Jesus speak to you. Begin by reading one of the readings of the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you and to help understand what God is saying. When a word or phrase comes to you, let it sink into your heart like a seed in good soil. Ask Jesus what he wants you to do about it. Let His word bear fruit in your life. Don’t worry about distractions. They’re normal. Just try to gently push them away like you would something floating past you in a swimming pool. It takes some practice, so, I encourage you to give it some time.
Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
Image Credit: Unknown. JPEG file.
References:
1. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2017.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
3. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Cares of the world, 29
2. Destiny of creation, 280, 1046-48
3. Parables, 546
4. Prayer in the Spirit, 741, 2736, 2766
5. Mysteries of the kingdom, 787
6. Resurrection of the body, 989-91
7. Creation part of the new universe, 1046-47
8. Capacity to know and correspond to the voice of God, 1703-09
9. Future glory, 1721
10. Spiritual growth, 1724
11. Christian hope, 1817-21
12. God associates man in working of grace, 2006-11
13. The value of medication, 2707
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071220.cfm
Lectionary: 103
Reading 1
Isaiah 55:10-11
Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial
Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
R. (Lk 8:8) The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
Thus have you prepared the land: drenching its furrows,
breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
The fields are garmented with flocks
and the valleys blanketed with grain.
They shout and sing for joy.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
Reading 2
Romans 8:18-23
Brothers and sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 13:1-23 OR 13:1-9
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
The disciples approached him and said,
“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
He said to them in reply,
“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.
To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because
they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted,
and I heal them.
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
“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.”
or
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”