July 13, 2014

15th Sun. of Ordinary Time

July 13, 2014:  15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ReadingsWordle: Readings 7-13-14
  • Is 55:10-11  Just as rain and snow don't return till they make earth fruitful, so too my word:  it won't return till it does my will.
  • Ps 65:10-14  "The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest."  You watered, prepared, and enriched the land, bringing a rich harvest.  Meadows, fields, and valleys rejoice.
  • Rom 8:18-23  Today's sufferings are nothing compared with future glory.  Creation, groaning in labor pains, eagerly awaits the freedom of God's children; we also groan inwardly awaiting redemption.
  • Mt 13:1-23  Jesus to crowds:  “As a sower sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds ate it.  Some fell on rocky ground and sprang up but then withered.  Some fell among thorns and was choked.  But some fell on rich soil and produced abundant fruit.”  Disciples / Jesus:  “Why do you speak in parables?” / “Knowledge of the kingdom's mysteries has been given to you but not them.   Those who have will be given more and grow rich, but from those who lack, the little they have will be taken; they look and hear but don't see or understand—but blessed are you who see and hear.  The seed on the path are those who hear the word without understanding; the evil one steals what was sown.  The seed on rocky ground are those who welcome the word but don't have roots and so fall away once trials come.  The seed among thorns are those who hear the word, but anxiety and lure of riches choke it.  But the seed on rich soil are those who hear and understand the word, then bear rich fruit.”
Music

Pope Francis/From the Vatican
  • Angelus:  The sower parable reminds us that we're ground on which the Lord tirelessly sows the seed of his Word and love.  We're also sowers and must ask what kind of seed falls from our hearts and lips.  Our words can do good but also evil, heal and hurt, encourage and depress.  Our Lady teaches us by example to receive the Word, guard it, and make it yield. / Keep praying for and working towards peace in the Holy Land in light of recent tragic events.  Prayer helps us conquer evil.
  • Sea Sunday message:  Christian churches celebrate Sea Sunday today, praying for seafarers, their families, and all who support them.  Thank God for seafarers and all they do for us; they risk their lives to bring us food and goods.  When a merchant ship is abandoned for precarious conditions or failure to pay duties, seafarers can remain stranded for months without wages, housing, or healthcare; people from Apostleship of the Sea and similar organizations often help them.
Reflections
  • Creighton:  No seed sprouts without showers and sun; no creature makes it on its own. We belong to each other.  Even God doesn't stand alone:  the Father begets the Word in Love.
  • One Bread One Body:  When we suffer, Paul recommends we pray for deeper awareness of God's glory, then consider the suffering as nothing in comparison.  For most, joy increases as suffering decreases, but for Christians aware of God's glory who suffer redemptively through self-sacrifice, joy and suffering increase together.
  • Passionist:  When Jesus speaks of more being given to those who have, he's referring to knowledge of the kingdom. / If we open up to Jesus, we'll be healed, and poverty and injustice won't have the last word. / May we be the seed that falls on good soil, hearing and understanding God's word and bearing fruit.
  • DailyScripture.net:  In parables Jesus sketched pictures that speak more clearly than words, though he knew some who heard them had closed hearts and so refused to understand.  How do I listen to God's word?  Prejudiced with a shut mind and so unteachable and blind?  Shallow without thinking it through and so ready to wander away?  As one among many interests, without focus, and so too preoccupied?  Or open-minded, eager to learn and submit, and so receiving understanding and strength?
  • Universalis:  If not trumped by Sunday:  St. Henry, emperor, supported Church reform and missionary activity, founded dioceses and monasteries. See Catholic Encyclopedia.
Apparel
  • "Grain" pin:  rain and snow give seed to the sower and bread to the eater (1st reading); "seed falling on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest." (psalm); you have prepared the grain. / the valleys are blanketed with grain. (psalm)
  • "Boat" tie bar:  Jesus got into a boat, sat, and spoke (gospel)
  • "Birds" tie:  Birds ate the seed that fell on the path (gospel)
  • "Rock" tie pin:  Some seed fell on rocky ground (gospel)
  • "Roses" pin:  Some seed fell among thorns (gospel)
  • "Eyeball" tie pin:  some have closed their eyes, lest they see, understand, and be converted and healed; blessed your eyes because they see (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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