Walking with Jesus: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, July 16, 2023

Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23

There are instances in Scripture where Jesus explains His teaching and parables. Today Matthew goes into great detail explaining the importance of being open to God’s word. I hear people saying:

“Why doesn’t God talk to me?”
“If I heard directly from Him, I would find it easier to follow Him.”
“Is there a way I can hear God more in Scripture? Some historical passages are easy, but then it gets complicated and the names and tribes are too confusing.”

It is difficult reading about ancient cultures. Their habits and beliefs were far different from ours. Religiously they believed in gods that controlled and inhabited the land, sea, air and waters. Seemingly unconcerned with humanity, they were to be feared and placated. The Jewish faith was the first to believe in the existence of One God, a supreme being. Moses describes this God in the first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch. God created the entire universe, including creatures, and then created human beings to care for and complete the purpose of creation — which is to be with God forever in heaven. He did not leave any part of His creation without protection, care and love. He proclaims His creative purpose throughout Scripture and in and through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension.

Scripture is God’s word: powerful, caring, and leading us all to heaven, our eternal goal. It is meant to be read, studied, shared and lived. In reading Scripture our primary task is not simply to learn about God but to encounter the living God personally, and to experience His saving activity which exemplifies repeatedly His love and His desire for each of us to have a personal relationship with this God of love.

In today's first reading, the prophet Isaiah shows how the Word of God is sent with a divine mission. Each time we pick up these Scriptures, God’s word is sent with a particular mission to be achieved in us. We encounter the living God, crazy in love with each of us just the way we are. This encounter with our living God leads us, heals us, points us in the right direction to encounter our God of mystery and love. A deep but simple reflection is that every time I share an encounter of God in scripture, it is God who is touching me with His love — if I let Him. Isaiah’s employs the imagery of creation — rain and snow, fertile land and cultivation — to describe God’s work. This shortens the seemingly huge distance between heaven above and earth below; God’s ways and ours. And Isaiah points to a future day when the vineyard of Israel, e.g., all creation, will be responsive to God’s word, yielding fruit and nourishing people to life. [Isaiah 65:17ff.]

Paul looks at the present while projecting to the future. His colorful imagery of moaning in childbirth anticipates something new but not unrelated. Suffering is ever present but our bodies were made for glory forever, where there will be no more pain or suffering. Paul urges us to live and pray in that hope. Am I doing that?

The Word of God gives us understanding, wisdom and an insight into God. Jesus tells us that the purpose of parables is to give us practical examples — knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Think on this: Why did Jesus teach the crowds and His apostles? He already had chosen the twelve and described their mission. They had received healing powers and graces. Were they discouraged because the crowds were flocking to Jesus but those in authority were not? Maybe the apostles felt like failures. When was this glorious reign of the Messiah coming? Jesus tells them point-blank … and us too … that a disciple’s real goal is to sow the seed and let God take over from there. If the seed catches hold, it will grow … but only in God’s time and at His pace. We hope for heaven and divine justice to come tomorrow, or at least in our lifetime. God’s plan is not our plan. Only good soil produces healthy crops. How is “my soil?” Am I nurturing it, responsible for its healthy growth? Do I realize I am God’s creation? He has given His creation to me to care for it and aid in its growth, leading all to God’s love. Am I drifting away — or loving?

So I reflect on:

• I am reminded and challenged to examine the kind of soil I am: rocky, thorny or rich?
• Am I planting the word of God only where a good harvest is guaranteed?
• Am I hanging on tightly to a fistful of seeds that need to be cast over the earth?

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“This is certainly the parable for the optimists. However much seed fell elsewhere, the sower would make sure that most of the seed would fall on good ground. Even the poorest yields thirtyfold. In the Gospel Jesus often uses the metaphor of the seed to describe the Kingdom and its innate energy. Do I share His optimism, or am I a prophet of doom about the future of the Kingdom in our world?”