15th Sunday Ordinary Time

The Readings:
July 10, 2011
Liturgical Year A, Cycle I
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23


These readings can be viewed at http://www.usccb.org/nab/071011.shtml.

Reflection Questions

1. If you were to ‘modernize’ the parable of the Sower, what comparisons would you use instead of ‘seeds’ and a ‘sower’? Why?

2. What kind of soil best describes where you are at in your relationship to God right now? Are you a path, rocky ground, thorns or rich soil? Why?

3. How has God communicated to you in your life? Do you ever wish He’d just come out and tell you what He was thinking? Describe. What would you say to a person who thought that God needed to communicate more clearly?

Gospel Reflection


Have you ever wished that God would just come out and tell you directly what He wants of you instead of being so secretive? Ever wonder why Jesus so often used parables instead of coming out directly and telling people what He meant? This Sunday’s Gospel reading brings us to the Parable of the Sower, in which Jesus tells us not only how to prepare ourselves to get to heaven, but also gives us an explanation as to why He speaks so often in the coded language of parables. Of course Jesus could have just come out and told the crowd exactly what He was thinking. Instead, He decides to speak in a hidden style, causing the people to think through what He is saying. This style of teaching is the Lord’s way of making us ‘earn’ His point. Instead of just handing it to us without any effort, He gives the full meaning of His lesson to those who really want to work for it. In this way, the Lord is guarding Himself, not giving away His ‘pearls’ to those who will treat them without respect. In particular, Jesus gives Himself to those who are humble of heart, to those who have a real desire for Him. Many do not have the desire for God, and because of their pride, they go on with life without really thinking that they need Jesus. Parables are meant to confuse the proud: Without a conversion of heart, they will never be able to comprehend what God has in store for them. This is God’s irony, that those who are simple, who make it a point to trust God, will end up with more understanding than those who try to live life on their own efforts, talents and studies. Our culture and society tell us that we should be the masters of our own lives, that we should look out for number one. This philosophy is anti-Christian, for as Christians we believe that Jesus is Number One, the source of everything that is good. As Christians we should always be about pleasing Jesus over anyone else, including ourselves. No matter the situation we may find ourselves in, we are always called to do good and act according to His will. Jesus’ will in our lives gives us more joy and satisfaction than anything we could come up with on our own. May we have the courage to ask God for a deeper ‘dose’ of humility, and trust Him over our own abilities and talents.