The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today set our expectation for living full lives in the experience and preparation of our predecessors in faith.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is an Invitation to Grace.
* [55:10–11] The efficacy of the word of God recalls 40:5, 8. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 55, n.d.)
Psalm 65 offers thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty.
* [Psalm 65] The community, aware of its unworthiness (Ps 65:3–4), gives thanks for divine bounty (Ps 65:5), a bounty resulting from God’s creation victory (Ps 65:6–9). At God’s touch the earth comes alive with vegetation and flocks (Ps 65:10–13). (Psalms, PSALM 65, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans proclaims a destiny of Glory.
* [8:18–27] The glory that believers are destined to share with Christ far exceeds the sufferings of the present life. Paul considers the destiny of the created world to be linked with the future that belongs to the believers. As it shares in the penalty of corruption brought about by sin, so also will it share in the benefits of redemption and future glory that comprise the ultimate liberation of God’s people (Rom 8:19–22). After patient endurance in steadfast expectation, the full harvest of the Spirit’s presence will be realized. On earth believers enjoy the firstfruits, i.e., the Spirit, as a guarantee of the total liberation of their bodies from the influence of the rebellious old self (Rom 8:23). (Romans, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew is the Parable of the Sower.
* [13:18–23] See Mk 4:14–20; Lk 8:11–15. In this explanation of the parable the emphasis is on the various types of soil on which the seed falls, i.e., on the dispositions with which the preaching of Jesus is received. The second and third types particularly are explained in such a way as to support the view held by many scholars that the explanation derives not from Jesus but from early Christian reflection upon apostasy from the faith that was the consequence of persecution and worldliness, respectively. Others, however, hold that the explanation may come basically from Jesus even though it was developed in the light of later Christian experience. The four types of persons envisaged are (1) those who never accept the word of the kingdom (Mt 13:19); (2) those who believe for a while but fall away because of persecution (Mt 13:20–21); (3) those who believe, but in whom the word is choked by worldly anxiety and the seduction of riches (Mt 13:22); (4) those who respond to the word and produce fruit abundantly (Mt 13:23). (Matthew, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)
Tamora Whitney comments that like the example of the seeds and the sower, not everyone who hears will listen. Not everyone who hears will understand. Some people hear the word, but they turn away and defile the land like the seeds choked by weeds.
But there are some who will hear, and listen, and understand. They are the good soil and the words of the Lord are the seeds that will bear good fruit. “The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.” The very disciples who are confused about his methods are the ones who can benefit from them. They are listening carefully and understanding the deeper meanings too as well as the symbolism. With the parables, the disciples can understand the bigger context of Jesus’ words, and then help share that with others as well.
We need to be aware and be like the disciples who listen carefully and critically. Let these words fall on us like the seeds in the good rich soil that will bring forth good and plentiful fruit. (Whitney, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The shallow and rootless mind,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.
"Let us look, as from a broader perspective, at what it means to be on the road. In a way, every road is hardened and foolish on account of the fact that it lies beneath everyone's feet. No kind of seed finds there enough depth of soil for a covering. Instead, it lies on the surface and is ready to be snatched up by the birds that come by. Therefore those who have in themselves a mind hardened and, as it were, packed tight do not receive the divine seed but become a well-trodden way for the unclean spirits. These are what is here meant by 'the birds of the heaven'" But 'heaven' we understand to mean this air, in which the spirits of wickedness move about, by whom, again, the good seed is snatched up and destroyed. Then what are those upon the rock? They are those people who do not take much care of the faith they have in themselves. They have not set their minds to understand the touchstone of the mystery [of being united with Christ]. The reverence these people have toward God is shallow and rootless. It is in times of ease and fair weather that they practice Christianity, when it involves none of the painful trials of winter. They will not preserve their faith in this way, if in times of tumultuous persecution their soul is not prepared for the struggle. (excerpt from FRAGMENT 168) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:1-23 comments that taking up Jesus’ call to bear fruit for his kingdom means making it the most important priority in our lives. He doesn’t want us to be like the seed among thorns and let other concerns distract us from his own concerns.
Today at Mass, ask yourself, How is Jesus calling me to bear fruit for his kingdom? How will I respond? Remember, you’re not on your own! Jesus is with you always, giving you the grace day by day to help you make his heavenly kingdom a reality, right where you are!
“Jesus, help me to understand how I can bear fruit for you.” (Meditation on Matthew 13:1-23, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler underlines the essential need for rain and snow to prevent famine for the Hebrews in a desert region. Paul contrasts the suffering and futility of the present time of the Romans with the restoration that is begun through the Spirit. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection of the parable of the sower to the Great Commandment to love God with our whole intellect, suffering, and possessions.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the Exodus journey became an externalized and internalized journey, as true spirituality always is. It marked the beginnings of the creation of this people and the creation of a spirituality that includes both action and contemplation. Theologian Dwight Hopkins writes about what it has meant for Black Americans in poverty to read the Exodus story and discover a God who liberates.
The biblical stories of exodus feature an oppressed people (that is, the Hebrews) who suffered at the hands of brutal taskmasters; were accused falsely; were pursued by forces of prejudice; dwelled in the midst of a wilderness experience; went through periods of anxiety, fear, and doubt about the future, at times longing for a return to their former status in an inhuman system; and quarreled with their leaders while doggedly continuing along the way to freedom….
Moreover, the African American poor, reading the Hebrew Scriptures from their position on the bottom of American society, discover a whole new world different from the dominating Christianity and theology of mainstream American believers. The exodus theme does not end with harsh difficulties. On the contrary, the hope of deliverance cancels out the pain and gives today’s poor the strength to “keep on keeping on.” [2] (Rohr, 2023)
Moving forward on our faith journey is helped by the nudges of the Spirit to prepare and transform.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 55. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/55?10
Matthew, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?1
Meditation on Matthew 13:1-23. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/07/16/734615/
Psalms, PSALM 65. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/65?10
Rohr, R. (2023, July 16). The Exodus Beginning — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-exodus-beginning-2023-07-16/
Romans, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?18
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jul16
Whitney, T. (2023, July 15). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071623.html
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