‘The seed is the word of God; Christ is the sower. All who come to him will have life forever.’
Sunday, July 12, is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23 or Matthew 13:1-9.
We should expect great things from faithful and attentive reception of the word of God.
The first reading shows that the word of God can utterly transform us and bring forth a great harvest in our life:
“Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there until they have watered the earth … my word shall not return to me void” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
If we listen to God’s word authentically and attentively, it will refresh us and bring forth the fruit of transformation. God’s word can open our mind to new realities, give us hope, and teach us the fundamental meaning of our life.
However, Jesus also spells out some obstacles that keep the harvest small, or even nonexistent, for some.
In today’s Gospel, Christ says this about some people:
“[T]hey look but do not see and hear but do not
