SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time FIRST READING: ISAIAH 55:1-11
In this passage from Isaiah, the prophet is comparing God’s word to rain and snow, which makes the earth fertile, bringing
forth food and nourishment. God’s word produces life and nourishes our souls, just as water falling upon the parched
earth gives life. In today’s reading, Isaiah is speaking to the exiled people who are being held captive in Babylon.
As captive exiles separated from Jerusalem, they feel dry and lifeless. They are without the center of their religious
activity- the Temple; they miss their ceremonies and rituals.
Isaiah reminds them that
they have something that is even more life-giving; they have the word of God. The word of God makes them fertile in
heart and mind when they welcome it; thus, the prophet encourages the people to trust in the Lord and not to be discouraged.
The prophets were sent to God’s people to speak the life-giving word of God to them
in order to sustain them, since God’s word is consistent and reliable, just as the natural world bears fruit.
Therefore, we can be as confident in the Word of God as we are confident that the seeds we plant, when nurtured and watered,
will produce fruit.
Are we receptive to the word of God, do we nurture it, and allow it
to bear fruit? Daily nourishment from this precious source will sustain us, bring us healing and transform us.
Let us feast on this daily bread and complete the task for which we were sent. SECOND
READING: ROMANS 8:18-23
That we must suffer with Christ while we are here on this earth
is a trivial price to pay for the glory that will be ours in the next world, is Paul’s opening statement. Life
here on earth, with all of its suffering, struggles and pains is not the end of our existence. We have the God-given
gift of faith that we must nurture and allow to strengthen within is so that we may reach our glorious redemption. St.
Paul tells us that this will not always be easy: “…we also groan within ourselves as we wait for
adoption…(v.23).”
According to Paul, when man and woman sinned in the Garden
of Eden, the entire created world was swept up and became corrupt. Mankind sinned and broke his relationship with God,
and now the world is suffering, moaning, and groaning in agony as if in childbirth. But Paul also sees this suffering
as something good; it is redemptive and transforming. Through Christ’s suffering, passion and death mankind has
been redeemed. Our temporal suffering will pale into insignificance in light of the eternal joy to come.
As we struggle to move forward in this life, let us trust that the providential love of God will guide us and protect us until
we arrive safely into the eternal kingdom of peace. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:1-23
In this Gospel passage, Jesus presents the parable of the sower and the seeds. Jesus told many parables in his public
life, and today’s reading features the story of the sower who planted seeds in various types of soil. Jesus tells
his disciples that the seed in this story is like God’s word and the people who hear it are like the soil. Some
of the seeds will never take root, because they fall on rocky ground, like faith that is shallow and disintegrates when a
crisis comes. Other seeds are not given the opportunity to grow, as they were sown among thorns, like the faith that
is abandoned when the lure of the world is too great, with all of its power and attractions. Then, there is the seed
that falls on the rich, fertile soil which yields a healthy harvest. This represents a faith that feeds on the word
of God on a regular basis, is deeply rooted, remains steadfast o the path of life and brings others to join this faith journey,
despite the obstacles that pop up along the way.
In this story, the seed was Christ’s
message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. Many who heard it would not profit by it because of their hostility towards
Jesus. He turns to his disciples and tells them that they are blessed, because they accept him and his teachings.
They are the ones who will produce a 100% yield. However, he was also alerting them to the obstacles to growth.
Jesus recognized that there would be difficulties and hindrances, his reign would come as surely as the harvest he describes.
Our role, then, is to continue to cultivate and nourish our faith, to witness to those who
might find themselves on rocky ground or living among thorns. Our patience and kindness might plant a seed in others
that will “take root.” God is good. He embraces all of mankind and longs for everyone to be part of
the “new creation.” -Sunday, July 10, 2011 |
