Sunday, July 12, is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23 or Matthew 13:1-9.

We should expect great things from faithful and attentive reception of the word of God.

The first reading shows that the word of God can utterly transform us and bring forth a great harvest in our life:

“Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there until they have watered the earth … my word shall not return to me void” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

If we listen to God’s word authentically and attentively, it will refresh us and bring forth the fruit of transformation. God’s word can open our mind to new realities, give us hope, and teach us the fundamental meaning of our life.

However, Jesus also spells out some obstacles that keep the harvest small, or even nonexistent, for some.

In today’s Gospel, Christ says this about some people:

“[T]hey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.”

God (through Isaiah) once observed this about us: “I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass” (Isaiah 48:4). For many of us, this tendency to be stiff-necked is gradually softened by the power of grace and the medicine of the sacraments. For some, though, the stubbornness never abates. Their hardened hearts have closed their eyes lest they see; they do not listen lest they be confronted with something they would rather not hear.

The text speaks of the path-sown seed of God’s word:

“The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.”

The seed sown on the path refers to the person who gives little thought to the word of God, let alone trys to connect it to his life or to understand its practical application.

What about shallow roots?

The text says, “The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.” But … “When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.”

There are some who can rejoice in the word of God, but only as long as it pleases them. But when things get challenging, they run away.

And there are more dire consequences, too.

The text says, “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety … chokes it off.”

This describes people who allow the world to distract them from or draw them away from reflection on God’s word.

The goal is clear:

“... some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

This post was adapted from the 2023 guide.