"FRUITFULNESS OF THE WORD OF GOD"
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Second Reading: Romans 8: 18-23
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13: 1-23
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage the Prophet tells us that God cares for the earth by sending rains to make it fruitful. In the same way, He sends His Word so that it may bring forth fruit in our lives. Isaiah assures us that the Word of God will not be empty but will surely accomplish its purpose.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul instructs the Christian community in Rome and us that the glory which awaits us in the next life far out weighs all the sufferings of our present times. He further says the whole of creation is waiting for the liberation and glory which will be accomplished through Christ. In Christ we have become adopted sons and daughters and hence receive redemption of our bodies.
"The Parable of the Sower"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In this passage, we have the parable of the sower. In the parable, Jesus compares the Word of God to the seeds that are sown in a field. In the first instance, some seeds fell into the path ways. In the second, some seeds fell in rocky ground and in the third, some seeds fell on thorny bushes. In all the above three situations, the seeds failed to produce any fruit due to various reasons. But in the final instance, some seeds fell on good soil and they produced fruits: some thirty, some sixty and some even hundred fold.
Jesus told this parable to his hearers to explain to them how the Word of God affects different types of people in the world.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus explains the parable to His disciples and highlights four different responses to the Word. Those who hear the word of God and do not understand it, the evil one comes and destroys it - are like the seeds that fell on the road side. Then there are people who hear the Word of God and receives it with joy but when trials and difficulties comes their way, they give up following the Word. These are like seeds that fell on rocky ground and due to lack of depth of soil they soon died. Then the third type of people , they listen to the word of God but cares of the world chokes them and they too do not produce the desired result. They are like the seeds that fell among thorny bushes. Finally, those who hear the word of God, accept it and and put into practice in their daily lives are like seeds that fell on good soil.
The point of the parable echoes the first reading from Prophet Isaiah: that the Word of God is fruitful and will accomplish its purpose. It is worth noting that many great works had very humble beginning like tiny seeds that fell on the ground.
"It is not always granted to the sower to live to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith" - Albert Schweitzer.
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Second Reading: Romans 8: 18-23
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13: 1-23
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage the Prophet tells us that God cares for the earth by sending rains to make it fruitful. In the same way, He sends His Word so that it may bring forth fruit in our lives. Isaiah assures us that the Word of God will not be empty but will surely accomplish its purpose.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul instructs the Christian community in Rome and us that the glory which awaits us in the next life far out weighs all the sufferings of our present times. He further says the whole of creation is waiting for the liberation and glory which will be accomplished through Christ. In Christ we have become adopted sons and daughters and hence receive redemption of our bodies.
"The Parable of the Sower"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In this passage, we have the parable of the sower. In the parable, Jesus compares the Word of God to the seeds that are sown in a field. In the first instance, some seeds fell into the path ways. In the second, some seeds fell in rocky ground and in the third, some seeds fell on thorny bushes. In all the above three situations, the seeds failed to produce any fruit due to various reasons. But in the final instance, some seeds fell on good soil and they produced fruits: some thirty, some sixty and some even hundred fold.
Jesus told this parable to his hearers to explain to them how the Word of God affects different types of people in the world.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus explains the parable to His disciples and highlights four different responses to the Word. Those who hear the word of God and do not understand it, the evil one comes and destroys it - are like the seeds that fell on the road side. Then there are people who hear the Word of God and receives it with joy but when trials and difficulties comes their way, they give up following the Word. These are like seeds that fell on rocky ground and due to lack of depth of soil they soon died. Then the third type of people , they listen to the word of God but cares of the world chokes them and they too do not produce the desired result. They are like the seeds that fell among thorny bushes. Finally, those who hear the word of God, accept it and and put into practice in their daily lives are like seeds that fell on good soil.
The point of the parable echoes the first reading from Prophet Isaiah: that the Word of God is fruitful and will accomplish its purpose. It is worth noting that many great works had very humble beginning like tiny seeds that fell on the ground.
"It is not always granted to the sower to live to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith" - Albert Schweitzer.
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