Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of a sprout and a hand sprinkling water over it

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Mass Readings

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.”

Second Sunday of Lent 2020

Mass Readings

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First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4A
Responsorial: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8B-10
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030820.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

My brothers and sisters, I have good news! Today we heard about the Transfiguration of Jesus. This is a glimpse of Jesus coming into his kingdom (Matthew 16:28), and the anticipated vindication of the crucifixion. <1>

From the promise he made to Abraham that he would be father of a host of nations, to raising up Moses in honor of this promise, to the promise of an everlasting kingdom to David’s son, in today’s Gospel Jesus is revealed as the One through whom God fulfills His divine plan. <2>

It is literally such an awe-inspiring moment that Peter doesn’t want to leave. That’s why he offers to build tents for them. Can you blame him?

Have you ever had such an amazing spiritual experience, maybe at mass, or on retreat or a pilgrimage, and you never wanted it to end? Maybe you wished you could live in a bubble of time forever basking in the experience of God’s presence you encountered.

But most of us are called to be in the world, not of it, and certainly not hiding from it. So, like Peter who had to go down off the mountain and follow Jesus to the cross, so too we must return to the world in service to the Good News. <3>

Jesus calls us to these experiences – to mass every Sunday, to daily mass if possible, to adoration, to retreats and on pilgrimages, and especially now through our Lenten observances of praying, fasting and almsgiving. Why? He calls us to these mountaintop experiences to strengthen us. Indeed, like Peter, James and John who heard the voice of God proclaim, “This my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,” (Matthew 17:5), God speaks to us too, if only we would listen. Every time we go to mass and we hear, “Behold the Lamb of God”, or when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, or when we hear, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” we are strengthened so that we can come down off the mountain and go out into the world.

Just like experiencing the Transfiguration wasn’t some private revelation, but rather a powerful witness to be shared, so too are we reminded by the Transfiguration that we are called as disciples to go out into the world. Our mission is twofold: to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone we encounter, especially those nones (those who claim “none” as their religious affiliation on surveys) – we are called to those wandering lost in the world who seem so anxious, so unsettled, and so lonely. But we don’t do this alone. We do this through our communities. So, the other part of our mission is be an active member of our communities. We need to intentionally support our leaders to form our Christian communities because those are the places that anchor us in the turbulent sea of this modern world.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. Jesus led Peter, James, and John high up a mountain by themselves. How often do I take time to be with the Lord like in prayer, mass, adoration, retreat or pilgrimage? What distracts me from time with the Lord?
  2. They came down from the mountain. How do I share the graces I receive from my mountaintop experiences like prayer, mass, adoration, retreat or pilgrimage? How do I help build up my spiritual community?

I think doing our homework this week will help all of us as disciples think about what God wants us to do with the blessings we receive on the mountaintop with our communities and with the people we encounter each and every day. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Notes:
<1> Montague, George T., Companion God: A Cross-Cultural Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, New York: Paulist Press, 1989, page 189.
<2> Hahn, Scott. Email, “Listen to Him: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Second Sunday of Lent,” 2 March 2020.
<3> “Mass Reading & Meditation for March 8, 2020,” Word Among Us, https://wau.org/meditations/ (accessed 2 March 2020).

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
  3. Montague, George T. First and Second Timothy, Titus. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008.
  4. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Son of God, 444
  2. Transfiguration, 554-56, 568
  3. Predestination, 600, 2012
  4. God’s promise to Abraham fulfilled in Christ, 706
  5. Jesus conquered death, 1019
  6. The call to holiness, 2012-2114, 2028, 2813

Second Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 25
Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030820.cfm

First Reading
Genesis 12:1-4A
The LORD said to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.

“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”

Abram went as the LORD directed him.

Responsorial
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22.
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Second Reading
2 Timothy 1:8B-10
Beloved:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.

Verse Before the Gospel
Matthew 17:5
From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Gospel
Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”