“The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.”
Luke 8:8
Readings
Book of the Prophet Isaiah 55:10-11
Letter of Paul to the Romans 8:18-23
Gospel According to Matthew 13:1-23
Reflection
by Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer, OSB
Images in today’s readings bring us to the powerful efficacy of the Word of God in our lives. The images are vivid and capture our imaginations so that we can grasp the life-giving fruitfulness of God’s Word. In the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we can imagine the Word of God as fruitful and fertile as the rain and the snow – and even more so. God’s Word achieves the end for which He sends it. In the Letter to the Romans, the image is one of creation groaning in labor pains and even ourselves groan within as we wait for our redemption, the glorious freedom of the children of God.
In the Gospel, we read about Christ the sower of the Word of God. The seed-word falls on all kinds of ground. We would like to be the rich soil, hearing the word, understanding it, bearing fruit and yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirtyfold. Imagine what the world would be like if we would listen to His voice each day with the utmost attentiveness. Can you imagine the seeds of love, patience, kindness, joy, graciousness, and peace that would sprout, spread, and bear fruit in our family, neighborhood, church and world? Moreover, yes! -- those fertile seeds would change the world.
Imagine what God can do with us and within us when we do even greater listening and strive for deeper understanding of His Word.
From the Rule of St. Benedict
”If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts.” Prologue 10
Gospel Acclamation
“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever.”