Cycle A - Year I:  

16 July 2023: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 55:10-11

Second Reading:   Romans 8:18-23

Gospel:  Please Read  Matthew 13:1-23 

Be the soil planted on rich soil!

These wise words tell us that we can reap only what we sow. Even so, there is really no guarantee that we would reap from what we sow, sometimes. Because something may go wrong along the way from the time of planting to the expected harvest time.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is a great teacher and many came to Him to listen and learn. He used simple teaching methods, based on ordinary every day life to point to another order of reality. Among these is the use of parables, which are short stories and images taken from everyday life situations to convey hidden truths about the kingdom of God.  A good image and vivid illustration can speak more loudly and clearly than many words, and thus captures the imaginations of His audience more powerfully.

So we will read or hear in this Sunday's Gospel proclamation about the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Let us reflect on the parable to guide our soul in understanding God's message as helpful tips on our every day life as practicing Christians.

St. Matthew presents the Gospel reading in two ways to understand the parable. The first one is the parable itself. It speaks of the different threats to the seed, which represents the Word of God. Like, the stony ground, the excessive heat of the sun, the weeds chocking the seed's growth, even wild birds eating some of the seed sown. These are the obstacles to the growth of the seed. But then, despite all the threats to His word taking root, God guarantees a bumper harvest in the end. So that this parable is meant to encourage the Church and us who sometimes feel overwhelmed and depressed by so many challenges to the growth of the seed of the Gospel. We must simply place our trust and faith in God who is Lord of the harvest.

The second part of the Gospel gives an explanation of the parable itself. It shifts away from God's part of guaranteeing a bumper harvest to us listeners, and the different ways in which we may receive the Word of God. This part of the parable becomes a warning to us. For while God encourages us to plant the seed in good soil and He guarantees a bountiful harvest, it is up to us to respond responsibly with full freedom to God's invitation. For God never forces Himself on us.

It is not enough to be enthusiastic Christians when nothing much is demanded of us. Our commitment can be so shallow that we easily give in to the treat of temptations. In following Jesus, it is when the going gets rough that such shallow commitment will shrivel and then die.

Our Lord Jesus urges us to examine our approach to God's invitation. God will always continue to sow His word in us. God continues to give Himself into our lives whatever type of soil we may be. Because God risks Himself for us.

The message of today's reading is to remind us that we are the soil where the Lord tirelessly sows the seed of His word and of His love. It is up to us to become good soil with neither thorns nor stones, but tilled and cultivated with care, so it may bear good fruits for us, and for others.

We conclude our reflection with the words of Pope Francis: "Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God."  So let us confidently seek the kingdom of God and allow nothing to undermine our growth as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!