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Mass times for Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, 2020
Saturday at 5:00 pm (inside)
Sunday at 9:00 am (outside)
Sunday at 11:00 am (inside)
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11 9:9-10
Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9
What to listen for in the first reading
The first reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. It was written when Israel was in exile. Enslaved in a foreign land, they doubted if God had forgotten His promise to them. Through Isaiah, God is reminding His people that He always comes through on His promises.
What to listen for in the second reading
The second reading is from Saint Paul as he writes to the Christians in Rome. Today’s second reading contains verses 18-23 of chapter 8, which ends triumphantly reminding us that nothing can separate us from God. Suffering often skews our seeing God with us. Listen in today’s second reading for Saint Paul offering us hope in suffering.
What to listen for in the Gospel
Jesus tells the parable of the farmer sowing seed. Seeds were expensive and were to be used prudently. So, what farmer is aimlessly throw seed everywhere? A farmer who is generous and has more than enough. As Jesus describes the different soils, ask yourself: Which soil most describes where you are in life?
This weekend's homily in one sentence
It’s never too late
HOMILY NOTES
The first clue in today’s parable
Verses 3-4: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path.”
Seed was expensive, a prudent farmer would care for the seed so that none of the seed gets lost
The second clue in today’s parable
Verse 8: “But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold”
An ordinary harvest in the first century A.D., seven-fold would be like an average harvest; tenfold would be a good harvest
Thirtyfold, sixtyfold, a hundredfold? This is a miraculous, super abundant harvest
The third clue in today’s parable
Verse 9: “Whoever has ears ought to hear”
He is inviting us to go deeper
The lavish generosity of God
Verse 4: “as he sowed, some seed ...” ▸ God is lavish and generous in desire for us and His movement in our life
Three P’s that cause us to doubt the lavish generosity of God
Problems ▸ “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety ... choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)
Priorities ▸ “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then ... the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)
Persecution ▸ “The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.” (Matthew 13:20-21)
It’s never too late
Verse 8: “But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold”
Imagine what your life would look like if you produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold
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