REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS OF THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (July 12th, 2020)

Isaiah 55, 10-11; Psalm 65; Romans 8, 18-23; Matthew 13, 1-23

By +Guy Sansaricq

Jesus’ parable of the SOWER brings the key message of the day. A farmer, we are told, went on to sow good seeds in four different fields. The first field was a beaten path. The soil being hard did not allow the seeds to penetrate the ground then birds came and ate them. Obviously there was no yield. The second field was rocky. Therefore, there was little soil. The seeds began to spring up but there was so little soil that they soon perished for lack of strong roots.   The farmer had no better luck with the third field that was covered with thorny bushes. The thorns choked the young plants which were beginning to blossom. There again, there was no yield. The persistent farmer finally sowed his seeds in a rich fertile field. Great was his joy when he collected an abundant harvest.

You have probably perceived it, that short story is about the crucial importance of GOOD DISPOSITIONS. The four fields represent four categories of people. The seeds are God’s word or God’s grace.  No matter the power of God’s grace or the truth of God’s word they will only bear fruit in well disposed-hearts, hearts that are opened and thirsting for the truth.

People who are distracted and worry only for worldly goods will automatically reject God’s word.

Wicked people are similar to the rocky field. They will not hold on to the truth because their hearts are sold over to the fleeting pleasures that vice procures. Likewise, for those compared to a thorny field. A sinful environment easily overpowers the attraction to goodness that still lingers in the souls of weak people. We must learn to be strong in character if we want God’s grace to flourish within us.

RESOLVE TODAY TO ENRICH YOUR HEARTS WITH GOOD DISPOSITIONS SO THAT GOD’S GRACE MAY ENRICH YOUR SOUL!

AN OPEN AND DETERMINED HEART IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION!