Fifteenth Sunday of the Year: A: July 16, 2023

 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. Isaiah tells the people of Israel and us that the Lord God cares for the earth by sending rains in due season to make it fruitful. In the same manner, He sends His Word so that it may bring forth fruits in our lives. Isaiah assures us that the Word of God will not be empty but will surely accomplish its desired purpose. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul instructs the Christian community at Rome and all of us that the glory which awaits us in the next life far outweighs all the sufferings and the pains we endure at the present times. Further, he assures us that the whole of creation is eagerly waiting for the liberation and glory which will be accomplished through Christ. In Christ all of us have become adopted sons and daughters and hence we will receive redemption of our mortal bodies. 

The parable of the Sower                                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus gives a very powerful message about the fruitfulness of the Word of God through the parable of the Sower. Jesus compares the Word of God to the seeds that are sown in a field. In the first instance, some seeds fall on the pathways. In the second instance, some seeds fall on rocky ground. And in the third instance, some seeds fall on thorny bushes. In all the three situations, the seeds fail to produce the desired results due to various reasons. But in the final instance, some seeds fall on good soil and they produce fruits : Some thirty, some sixty and some hundred fold. Jesus narrates this parable to His listeners and us to instruct them/us how the Word of God affects different types of people in the world. In the later part of the Gospel, Jesus explains this parable to His disciples. He highlights four different responses to the Word. As for those who hear the Word of God and do not understand it and the evil one comes and destroys it: They are like those seeds that fall on the roadside. There are people who hear the Word of God and receive it with joy but when trials and difficulties come their way, they give up following the Word: They are like those seeds that fall on rocky ground and fail to produce the desired results. There are also people who listen to the Word of God but cares of the world choke them and they too fail to produce the desired results : They are like the seeds that fall among thorny bushes. Finally, there are people who hear the Word of God, they accept it and gladly put it into practice in their daily lives: They are like seeds that fall on good soil eventually producing the desired results. The theme of Jesus' parable has its echoes in the first reading from the book of Prophet Isaiah that the Word of God is fruitful and will accomplish its purpose. In this context, it is worth noting that many great and beautiful works had very humble beginnings like the tiny seeds that fall on soil.

"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