Stay faithful...
Reflections on the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 12, 2020): IS 55:10-11; PS 65:10,11,12-13,14; ROM 818-23; MT 13:1-23
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
The seeds of God’s kingdom need to grow in the ready soil of willing, committed souls.
After Jesus tells the parable of the sower to the many people who have come to listen to Him, the first thing the Apostles want to know is why He is speaking in parables. He tells them that not everyone is capable or willing to really listen and learn. These people may be curious about what He preaches, but their souls are not prepared to accept the radical conversion He seeks. But they are. “Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Matthew 13:16-17). The Apostles have been granted a gift, but it is one they are not intended to keep to themselves.
Just as they have been open to His words, they, in turn must share it with all people who are also receptive to God’s will. Jesus lets His disciples know that some of those who hear what He has to say – and, in time, what they will say – will let evil or lack of dedication drive out His gift of redemption. They may let hardships or preference for the ways of the world to destroy their faith in Him. The seeds of God’s kingdom need to grow in the ready soil of willing, committed souls. And we must entrust ourselves to the unfathomable, unending love of Christ that led Him to the cross for us and will lead us home to Him for eternity.
Suggested missionary action: We can pray today that we allow the word of God to live and grow in us. And we can encourage the spread of the Good News around the world by supporting the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies with our prayer and material assistance.
