Wednesday, July 24, 2002
16th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Jer 1:1, 4-10
Gospel: Mt 13:1-9
Jesus left the house and sat down by the lakeside. As many people gathered
around him, he got in a boat. There he sat while the whole crowd stood
on the shore, and he spoke to them in parables about many things.
Jesus said, "The sower went out to sow and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was not deep. But as soon the sun rose the plants were scorched and withered because they had no roots. Again other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants. Still other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop; some produced a hundredfold, others sixty and others thirty. If you have ears, then hear!"
Commentary
"If you have ears, then hear!" An abundant harvest depends not only on good seed but also on the receptivity of good soil. The parable of the sower tells of our responsibility in implementing God's plan. It is not enough to have received gifts from God if we do not welcome them wholeheartedly and make them bear fruit. There is a demand for our personal cooperation. Does God need us? Not really, but he willed it so. Creation is still in progress; liberation and salvation of all human persons is still unfolding. There is a task for all of us to responsibly contribute to bring about the designs of God revealed in our personal and communitarian history. Jesus challenges those who seem not to listen to the Word, warning that they will not enjoy its fruits.