SUNDAY READINGS REFLECTIONS
from our Carmelite Friars
Image by Sadaharu Ox from Pixabay
FERTILE AND FRUITFUL
15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Reading 1: Isaiah 55:10-11
In the first reading, we are reminded of what receiving the word of God can do in our lives, like water and snow, it makes us fertile and fruitful. God’s words are neither just sets of demands nor reminders. These are words of love, words of life and those who will keep it make their lives life-giving and blessed.
“So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
Do we want to reap a bountiful harvest? Do not just rely on what we can do, but open ourselves to be planted by God on fertile ground.
“The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.”
Reading 2: Romans 8:18-23
The second reading tells us that creation “awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God.”
Although at present we are suffering, we are groaning, God’s revelation, through his Word, tells us that glory is awaiting to be revealed. To pay attention to the word of God allows us to endure sufferings for the Word assures us that in these sufferings, the glory of God shall be made manifest.
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9
God assures us that His Word will make us fertile and fruitful. However, we need to make ourselves into a suitable seedbed for the Word of God to grow. If we are not nourished and sustained by God’s work, we need to ask what kind of soil we are. Perhaps, our type of soil blocks, poisons, or kills God’s Word.
God has the very intention to nourish us, but we must also be receptive to His Word and prepares our ground for God’s Word to grow. Also, we are seeds that God plants on other soil. We can only be planted if we have allowed the Word to grow in us.
“But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”