15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A, Year II)

Community Word: Jesus invites us to find rest in Him.

Theme: We find rest in Jesus when we allow our heart to be a rich soil for God’s word.

Promise: “…my word…shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”
(Is 55:11)

Reflection:
We are assured that if our lives are lived and anchored on God’s word, we will have true peace and life in abundance. Jesus explains this to us through the Parable of the Sower, the importance of what kind of soil the seed, the word of God, is sown. When seeds are sown, not all necessarily grow and develop into a blossoming plant. This is a reality that anyone, like farmers, knows through experience. Thus, those who do planting prepare the ground so that the seeds will grow with best result. If you were to plant seeds, for sure you will choose to plant them on a ground that you have prepared by much cultivation and fertilizing so that the harvest would become abundant.

Our hearts become “rich soil” when we allow the word of God to transform us, and we become who others will see what Jesus has done with our life. They will see that more and more, our life has been enriched because we have become fruitful in faithfulness and holiness. God’s word declares, “To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away,” (Mt 13:12). Those who do not hear and act on what God’s word commands will have difficulty in finding rest in Jesus. These are people who do not understand the Kingdom of God; the evil one comes and steals away what has been sown. But those who listen to God’s word, understand and allow it to minister their hearts, will bear much fruit as a reward.

In our Christian life, there is a continuous fight against worldly doctrines, ways and attachments which are not in accord with the word of God. We must never stop being nurtured and guided by the Truth that the Church and Holy Scriptures tell us. We need to align our heart, mind and spirit to Jesus, our true Sower, so that we will grow in our faith and in holiness. People who are not grounded in faith, because of their loose understanding of God’s word, can easily be shaken; especially when anxiety comes, when there is lure of earthly enticements, when faced with trials and uncertainty.

Through the Parable of the Sower, Jesus invites us to change our way of life and be a rich soil for the glory of the Kingdom of God. As disciples of Christ who have been enriched by God’s word serving the Church and community, we have our own story to tell how we responded to the call to renew our life and become fruitful, not only as hearers, but also as doers and bearers of His word. As we grow in fruitfulness, we lead more and more people to open their heart to receive the Lord, and allow that little seed of faith grow, as in rich harvest.

But God also assures us that even those who do not bear fruit will have their time of productiveness. Ultimately, they will find rest in the Lord. For all are created and called according to His purpose and plan. We are called to prosper God’s kingdom and our role is to proclaim to others the word of Jesus calling us to find rest in Him. In Isaiah, God promised, “…my word…shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it,” (Is 55:11). The word of God changes our perspective in life and frees us from worldliness, sinfulness, and other forms of anxiety brought about by the world.

Prayer:
Lord, plant Your holy word on good ground. Help me grow in faith so that my relationship with You is not shallow and weak, but a deep and strong. Grant me faith that can cast away mountains of doubt and oceans of fear. Teach me to triumph over temptation. Help me to believe in you, even when I do not understand the inconstant cruelty in some people. Lord, I am Yours; take me as I am. Shape me, make me, mold me into the person You would have me to be. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we pray. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. As a growing Christian, how can you use the Parable of the Sower in developing and growing your faith? Is your faith growing on “rocky soil” or “good soil?”

2. Share your experience when the word of God gave you comfort in confronting your struggles and difficulties.
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
July 12, 2020 (Sun) – Is 55:10-11/ Ps 65:10-14/ Rom 8:18-23/ Mt 13:1-23
July 13, 2020 (Mon) – Is 10-17/ Ps 50:8-9, 16, 17, 21, 23/ Mt 10:34-11:1
July 14, 2020 (Tues) – Is 7:1-9/ Ps 48:2-8/ Mt 11:20-24
July 15, 2020 (Wed) – Is 10:5-7, 13-16/ Ps 94:5-10, 14-15/ Mt 11:25-27
July 16, 2020 (Thurs) – Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19/ Ps 102:13-21/ Mt 11:28-30
July 17, 2020 (Fri) – Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8/ Is 38:10,11, 12, 16/ Mt 12:1-8
July 18, 2020 (Sat) – Mi 2:1-5/ Ps 10:1-4, 7-8, 14/ Mt 12:14-21

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”