Gospel: July 24, 2024
16th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 / (Green/White)
St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest
Ps 71: 1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15, 17
My mouth shall be filled with praise, and I will sing your glory.
1st Reading: Jeremiah 1: 1, 4-10
Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-9
That same day, Jesus left the house and sat down by the lakeside. Many people gathered around him. So he got into a boat, and sat down, while the crowds stood on the shore; and he spoke to them in parables about many things.
Jesus said, “The sower went out to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path; and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly, because the soil was not deep. But as soon as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and they withered, because they had no roots. Again, other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants. Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop: some a hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty. If you have ears, then hear!”
Reflection: “To welcome God’s Word.”
Chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel is the third of the five discourses. It is called the parabolic discourse. This third discourse tells of several parables describing the kingdom of heaven. The first of these is the parable commonly known as the parable of the sower. Today’s Gospel tells that there are different kinds of soil upon which the seeds may fall. The seeds that fall on good soil are the ones that can abundantly produce a crop.
We may reflect on the fact that, often, we receive inspiration upon hearing the Word of God. However, there are also times when we are slowly losing the inspiration we received from God’s Word. Consequently, we also lose the fervor to continue the beautiful things which we have started. When this happens, it seems that our hearts are not yet ready to truly welcome the Word of God. Nonetheless, we can keep the inspiration when we bear in mind that our hearts can always be prepared so that the we can welcome God’s Word in our hearts. The soil can always be prepared for the seeds. As the soil can be cultivated for the seeds, our hearts can be made clean to accept God’s Word.
