Daily Readings - Sun Jul 16 2017
Second Reading - Romans 8.18-23
Romans
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Gospel - Matthew 13.1-9
Matthew
1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the journey of faith and the hope that sustains us. The second reading from Romans reminds us that our current struggles are but a shadow of the glory that awaits us. Paul encourages us to endure suffering with patience, knowing that creation itself groans in anticipation of redemption. This passage is part of Paul's broader discussion on the Spirit and the hope of future glory, reassuring us that our trials are not in vain.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the sower, a powerful metaphor for how we receive God's Word. Jesus illustrates four responses to the seed: some reject it immediately, others embrace it superficially but falter, some let worries choke the Word, and a few nurture it to bear abundant fruit. This parable, part of Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God, challenges us to examine the soil of our hearts.
Both readings converge on themes of endurance and hope. Romans emphasizes enduring suffering with hope, while the parable calls us to receive God's Word with openness and commitment. In our daily lives, we are urged to cultivate the good soil of our hearts, allowing God's Word to take root and flourish despite life's challenges. Let us trust in God's plan, nurture our faith, and bear fruit in abundance, knowing that our perseverance will yield eternal rewards.