Sunday July 12th 2020: Read Br Michael’s Gospel Reflection The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The seed is the Word of God
Jesus was a great story teller. His words and parables astonished those who listened to him. In Mark’s gospel we are told, ‘the people who heard him were amazed at the way he taught… he taught with authority.’ (1.22). To use a modern phrase, he knew his audience well. He used symbols, words and images that they knew from their own daily working lives. He spoke about food and wine, bread and cooking, fishing, shepherds and sheep. In the gospel today, Jesus uses the farming image of sowing seeds to speak about a much deeper reality; the word of God.
A farmer sows seeds. Some of the seeds fall on the path and are eaten by birds. More seeds falls where there is no soil and no roots are produced. Seed falls among the thorns are choked. The remaining seeds fall on rich soil, take root and produce a huge crop. Those who were listening to Jesus, mainly a rural farming people would have immediately understood what Jesus was saying. For us today, who live in towns and cities, what are we to make of what Jesus words?
The first reading today says, ‘….the Lord says, the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’ God’s word is powerful and dynamic. In St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, he says, ‘The word of God is alive and active.’ What does this mean? I believe this means that the God’s word is alive in each of us; you and me. God’s powerful and life giving word is not ‘out there’ somewhere. It has been sown and planted in each of us by God. This is where the hard works starts!
When any seeds are sown, whether in our gardens or in small flower pots, they need to be nurtured and nourished. They need water, care and our attention. They can’t simply be sown and then ignored; they will struggle to grow and may even die. The word of God that is given to us as a seed is no different. Through prayer and listening to God, we are called to nurture and nourish the word of God that is in us. If we do not tend to it, the seed of God’s word will remain dormant; it won’t become alive and active!
The seed that takes root produces a bountiful crop. This is important. When the word of God that is sown in us is cared for, it will produce life-giving fruits in our lives, not just for ourselves but also for others. The effects of the word of God will be seen in the quality of our daily lives, the work of our hands and in how we treat each other. As Jesus tells us; ‘By their fruits you will know them.’
A man was in the market shopping. Passing a strange stall, he asked the owner what she was selling. She replied that she sold whatever the person needed; peace, love, mercy, compassion; their hearts desire. He was delighted and said he would take a large pack of each. ‘You don’t seem to understand,’ the woman behind the stall replied, ‘I only sell the seeds!
Listen, anyone who has ears!
– Br Michael Moore OMI
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Gospel Matthew 13:1-23 ©
A sower went out to sow
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