Readings for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ex 20:1-17
In today’s first reading we are given the Exodus version of the delivery of the Ten Commandments by Moses. While the division into Ten Commandments is somewhat uncertain, we believe that verses 1-6 is one commandment while verse 7 is two (see also Deut 5:6-21).
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Psalm 19 is a song of praise. In this selection we praise the Law of God as being a path to salvation, more valuable than “purest gold.”
Gospel Mt 13:18-23
Our Gospel from Matthew is the explanation of the “Parable of the Sower”. This explanation is given to the disciples as St. Matthew’s way of explaining it to his broader audience.
Reflection:
Coupled with the gift of God’s Law given in the reading from the book of Exodus, we pause to reflect on the amazing imagery of the “Parable of the Sower.” The reason this parable is so rich for us is that not only do we look at it and see our selves as the seed (and the various circumstances of its growth) but we can also see our selves as the sower. We can even look at ourselves as the soil in which the seed falls.
If we see our selves as the seed we concern ourselves with accepting God’s word in our hearts so we can put out deep roots. When we do so we cannot be snatched away, the sun cannot burn us and the weeds cannot choke us. As see the only way for us to do that is by constant care and attention. We water ourselves with the sacraments, we feed ourselves with the word of God and our roots become our prayer.
If we see ourselves as the sower we must have the attitude of Christ, he knew that the life giving words he spoke would not generally fall on receptive ears (hence the reason for the parable in the first place). He (and we) must accept that we have a task to do as the sower. We must put the seeds of God’s love out there in that vast field that is the world and trust God to watch over it.
When we see ourselves as the soil, ah, that is something we can control. We can easily see the seeds of faith in others. Some times that faith has germinated and we will be the rich fertile soil that helps it grow. Other times it has not even germinated, we encourage it providing examples and nurturing. Some times we see it choked by weeds and we do our best to move that seed to a more wholesome environment. And sometimes we see the seeds parched due to lack of nourishment and we do our best to provide it. The hardest part of the parable of the sower is being the soil.
Today let us pray that we have the strength to be that seed in good ground. Let us ask God to help us be good sowers of his love. And finally we ask God to make us the best possible soil, encouraging those around us to grow and helping them build the roots of prayer that will sustain them.
Pax
[1] After Links to the Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is Sower with Setting Sun by Vincent Van Gogh, 1888
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ex 20:1-17
In today’s first reading we are given the Exodus version of the delivery of the Ten Commandments by Moses. While the division into Ten Commandments is somewhat uncertain, we believe that verses 1-6 is one commandment while verse 7 is two (see also Deut 5:6-21).
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Psalm 19 is a song of praise. In this selection we praise the Law of God as being a path to salvation, more valuable than “purest gold.”
Gospel Mt 13:18-23
Our Gospel from Matthew is the explanation of the “Parable of the Sower”. This explanation is given to the disciples as St. Matthew’s way of explaining it to his broader audience.
Reflection:
Coupled with the gift of God’s Law given in the reading from the book of Exodus, we pause to reflect on the amazing imagery of the “Parable of the Sower.” The reason this parable is so rich for us is that not only do we look at it and see our selves as the seed (and the various circumstances of its growth) but we can also see our selves as the sower. We can even look at ourselves as the soil in which the seed falls.
If we see our selves as the seed we concern ourselves with accepting God’s word in our hearts so we can put out deep roots. When we do so we cannot be snatched away, the sun cannot burn us and the weeds cannot choke us. As see the only way for us to do that is by constant care and attention. We water ourselves with the sacraments, we feed ourselves with the word of God and our roots become our prayer.
If we see ourselves as the sower we must have the attitude of Christ, he knew that the life giving words he spoke would not generally fall on receptive ears (hence the reason for the parable in the first place). He (and we) must accept that we have a task to do as the sower. We must put the seeds of God’s love out there in that vast field that is the world and trust God to watch over it.
When we see ourselves as the soil, ah, that is something we can control. We can easily see the seeds of faith in others. Some times that faith has germinated and we will be the rich fertile soil that helps it grow. Other times it has not even germinated, we encourage it providing examples and nurturing. Some times we see it choked by weeds and we do our best to move that seed to a more wholesome environment. And sometimes we see the seeds parched due to lack of nourishment and we do our best to provide it. The hardest part of the parable of the sower is being the soil.
Today let us pray that we have the strength to be that seed in good ground. Let us ask God to help us be good sowers of his love. And finally we ask God to make us the best possible soil, encouraging those around us to grow and helping them build the roots of prayer that will sustain them.
Pax
[1] After Links to the Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is Sower with Setting Sun by Vincent Van Gogh, 1888
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