LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 64(65):10-14
Second reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23
Link to readings
INTRODUCTION
The word of God is proclaimed throughout the whole of creation. All of the readings in the liturgy this Sunday are filled with images drawn from nature.
The word is like rain refreshing the earth, bringing goodness and growth wherever it falls. (First Reading) The Psalm is a prayerful song of thanks after a time of drought. It reminds us of the bountiful love that pours out from the Lord, filling us with joy and good things. Paul (Second Reading) writes of a deep longing within us – and within the whole of creation – for the fulfilment of God’s promise. The word of God will give us the freedom we long for.
Jesus shares the parable of the sower casting seeds upon the land to teach us to cherish the word of God. The parable reminds us of the many things that can distract and prevent us from fulfilling all that we are called to be.
When we learn to truly listen, the word of God is an abundant source of growth. It provides rich fruit for the benefit of all. In this coming week, we might want to look around us and notice the different ways in which creation speaks to us of the love of God.
FIRST READING
Isaiah 55: 10–11
Thus says the Lord: ‘Yes, as the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so 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.’
REFLECTION
In preparation for my prayer, I look back over the past week and ponder. Where have I noticed the word of God blessing my life like rainfall on dry land? Have there been times when I’ve struggled to be aware of God’s presence? How am I feeling now as I enter this time of prayer?
I place all that I have brought to mind before God. Slowly, I allow myself to become still. After taking a few long, deep breaths, I imagine God’s love filling my being with each breath. Once I feel ready, I turn to the text and read it through at a gentle, flowing pace. I pause in silence for a short while, and then read the passage again, poring over and pondering each phrase.
Is there a word or image that my heart is drawn to? I let my prayer rest on this moment, repeating the phrases, and allowing images and meaning to soak deeply into my being. How do I feel now?
In what way is God’s word helping me to grow? What do I desire to be transformed within me, within my community, and within the world? I share my longings with the Lord as I would to a close and trusted friend. I wait upon the Lord . . . I listen . . . As slowly as I entered prayer today, I bring my prayer to a close: Glory be to the Father . . .
GOSPEL
Matthew 13: 1–9 (abridged version)
Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.
He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’
REFLECTION
Conscious that my mind can be burdened with thoughts, regrets, and loss from the past, as well as worries and ruminations of what the future may hold, I desire to call my mind to awareness of this present moment. God is eternally present in the here and now of my life. This is where God greets me, now, in this very moment.
I gently bring the focus of my attention to what I can feel in my body, or see and hear around me. When I am ready, I turn to the Gospel and read it reverently several times, until the passage becomes familiar to me.
I imagine being in the crowd and hearing Jesus speak these words. Does this parable comfort, challenge, or puzzle me? Why? I imagine being one of the disciples. I ask Jesus what message he really wants me to hear in this parable.
I take time to listen … to let the word of God take root within me. Aware that there are things that distract me from growing closer to the Lord, I ask for the grace that the word of God may take root and flourish within me. I finish by joining Jesus in praying ‘Our Father . . .’
Courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, UK