A Sower Went Out to Sow
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“A sower went out to sow. Some seed fell on the path… Some fell on rocky ground… some seed fell among thorns. But some fall on rich soil and produced fruit.” Matthew 13:3,4,5,7,8
The Sower (Sower with Setting Sun), Vincent van Gogh, 1888; Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
This Sunday’s gospel presents the parable of the sower. Seed is thrown out on a footpath, where the birds eat it up, on rocky ground where it had no deep roots, among thorns where it was choked, and finally on good soil where it yielded the abundant harvest. The message of the parable is clear and simple: Be good soil. Every section of the parable is seen as containing a separate message.
The seed along the path is the person who hears God’s word but doesn’t understand it. The birds are the evil one who devours what is scattered about in his mind. The seed on the rocky soil is the man who does not have firm roots in his faith. The seed among the thorns is the man who wants to have faith but is preoccupied by the things of the world. Good soil is the man who hears the message and makes it his lifestyle. Thus the question for each of us is—what kind of soil are we?
This parable reminds me of a story about a woman who was depressed because of the state of the world she longed for love among family and friends as well as peace for all people. She saw so much selfishness, greed, hatred and lack of moral values. One day she entered a little store and surprised to see someone behind the counter looked like Jesus. She could not contained herself and asked: “Excuse me are you Jesus?” He replied, “I am, how can help you?” “What do you sell here?” “Well I don’t sell anything; everything is free get whatever you need?” She walked around and was amazed at what she saw at the shelves: Peace on earth, forgiveness, food for the poor and so on. She went back with a long list of items.
Jesus looked at it, smiled and said “no problem.” He bent down went through some boxes and stood up with a series of small envelopes. “What are these?” she asked. “Seed packets” “You mean I don’t get the final product?” “No, just take them with you plant them and nurture them you will quiet pleased with the results.” She left the store without taking anything with her. Most of us want God to solve all of our problems overnight. He may not take away our problems overnight but he will give us the means and the help we need to have faith and patience. Remember: The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Blessings,
Fr. Abel Loera, Pastor
Readings for the Week
Monday: Ex 1:8-14, 22; Ps 124:1b-8; Mt 10:34— 11:1
Tuesday: Ex 2:1-15a; Ps 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34; Mt 11:20-24
Wednesday: Ex 3:1-6, 9-12; Ps 103:1b-4, 6-7; Mt 11:25-27
Thursday: Ex 3:13-20; Ps 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27; Mt 11:28-30
Friday: Ex 11:10 — 12:14; Ps 116:12-13, 15, 16bc, 17-18; Mt 12:1-8
Saturday: Ex 12:37-42; Ps 136:1, 23-24, 10-15; Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19; Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43 [24-30]
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday: St. Camillus de Lellis
Thursday: St. Apollinaris
Friday: St. Lawrence of Brindisi
Saturday: St. Mary Magdalene