Daily Readings - Sun Jul 12 2020

¹⁰As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,¹¹so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Romans

Chapter 8

¹⁸I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.¹⁹The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.²⁰For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope²¹that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.²³Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Matthew

Chapter 13

¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.⁹He who has ears, 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.