Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-9
July 23, 2025 | Wednesday

Today’s Gospel

That same day, Jesus left the house and sat down by the lake side. Many people gathered around him. So he got into a boat, and sat down, while the crowds 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 as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and they 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 a hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty. If you have ears, then hear!”

Today’s Reflection

The parable of the Sower is a metaphor for how the seed or God’s Word is sown and received in the ground on which it falls. We are the soil wherein God’s perfect word is sown. The pathways where the seeds fell and were eaten by birds are like those among us who totally ignore, disdain, reject, or spurn God’s message. The rocky grounds with little soil where the seeds did not take root are those people whose indolence, idleness, or inattention inhibited their initial interest and inquisitiveness about Christ and His teachings. The ground with thorns that choked the growth of the sprouting plants is those who believe in the tenets of the faith but do not act in accord with it due to their earthly attachments and pursuit of worldly goals. Only the seeds that fell on good soil or those who consistently comply with Christ’s commands will be fruitful and produce “a crop: some a hundredfold, others sixty, some thirty.”

Each of us is the land wherein God’s Word has been strewn, scattered, or spread. Admittedly, we have flitted back and forth in the profundity of our faith and the sincerity of our acts of piety, akin to different soils at various stages of our lives. Our challenge is to ensure that God’s message will take root within us, grow, and bear fruit. How do we prepare our lives, hearts, and minds to be the fertile soil enabling the Good News to flourish?

We must open ourselves to welcome Jesus into our lives as we quash and quell all factors and forces that may separate us from His presence. We must continue to learn more about Christ so that our faith may not diminish or dwindle due to doubt or distrust. We must abandon all aspirations or attachments that could asphyxiate our acceptance and advocacy of His creed. We must strive to be faithful and true to the Lord and ever obedient to His command to love God and our neighbor so we are like the rich soil which bears much fruit. Pray for the grace of a pure, powerful, passionate, and persistent faith so we will be fruitful up to the end of our days.

/Vulnerasti, 2025