Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 12, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 55.10-11
10And in the same manner as rain and snow descend from heaven, and no longer return there, but soak the earth, and water it, and cause it to bloom and to provide seed to the sower and bread to the hungry11so also will my word be, which will go forth from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish whatever I will, and it will prosper in the tasks for which I sent it
Psalm 65
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. A Canticle of Jeremiah and Ezekiel to the people of the captivity, when they began to go into exile. O God, a hymn adorns you in Zion, and a vow will be repaid to you in Jerusalem2Hear my prayer: all flesh will come to you3Words of iniquity have prevailed over us. And you will pardon our impieties4Blessed is he whom you have chosen and taken up. He will dwell in your courts. We will be filled with the good things of your house. Holy is your temple5wonderful in equity. Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of a sea far away6You prepare the mountains in your virtue, wrapped with power7You stir up the depths of the sea, the noise of its waves. The nations will be troubled8and those who dwell at the limits will be afraid, before your signs. You will make the passing of morning and evening enjoyable9You have visited the earth, and you have saturated it. You have enriched it in so many ways. The river of God has been filled with water. You have prepared their food. For thus is its preparation10Drench its streams, multiply its fruits; it will spring up and rejoice in its showers11You will bless the crown of the year with your kindness, and your fields will be filled with abundance12The beauty of the desert will fatten, and the hills will be wrapped with exultation13The rams of the sheep have been clothed, and the valleys will abound with grain. They will cry out; yes, they will even utter a hymn
Second Reading: Romans 8.18-23
18For I consider that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with that future glory which shall be revealed in us19For the anticipation of the creature anticipates the revelation of the sons of God20For the creature was made subject to emptiness, not willingly, but for the sake of the One who made it subject, unto hope21For the creature itself shall also be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the sons of God22For we know that every creature groans inwardly, as if giving birth, even until now23and not only these, but also ourselves, since we hold the first-fruits of the Spirit. For we also groan within ourselves, anticipating our adoption as the sons of God, and the redemption of our body
Gospel: Matthew 13.1-9
1In that day, Jesus, departing from the house, sat down beside the sea2And such great crowds were gathered to him that he climbed into a boat and he sat down. And the entire multitude stood on the shore3And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow seed4And while he was sowing, some fell beside the road, and the birds of the air came and ate it5Then others fell in a rocky place, where they did not have much soil. And they sprung up promptly, because they had no depth of soil6But when the sun rose up, they were scorched, and because they had no roots, they withered7Still others fell among thorns, and the thorns increased and suffocated them8Yet some others fell upon good soil, and they produced fruit: some one hundred fold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold9Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of God’s word and the hope of eternal life amidst the struggles of this world. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear that just as rain and snow bring life to the earth, so too does God’s word accomplish its purpose in those who receive it. This passage, written to the Israelites in exile, offers a message of hope and renewal, reminding us that God’s word is not empty but fruitful, bringing life and nourishment to those who hear it.
The second reading from Romans deepens this theme by speaking of the suffering of the present time in light of the future glory that awaits us. Paul reminds us that creation itself groans in anticipation of redemption, and we, as children of God, also groan inwardly as we await the fullness of our adoption. This passage encourages us to endure trials with patience, knowing that the glory to come far outweighs the struggles of the present.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the sower, where seed falls on different types of soil, representing the various ways people respond to God’s word. Some hearts are hardened, others are shallow, and still, others are consumed by the cares of the world. But when the word falls on good soil, it bears abundant fruit. This parable challenges us to examine the condition of our own hearts and to nurture our relationship with God, so that His word may take root and flourish in us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we receive God’s word in our lives? Do we allow it to take root and transform us, or do we let the challenges of the world harden our hearts? May we trust in God’s promise that His word will not return empty, and may we endure the trials of this life with hope, knowing that the glory of eternal life awaits us. Let us strive to be the good soil, fertile and receptive, so that we may bear fruit in abundance for the Lord.