Daily Gospel Reflection for July 12, 2020 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel is a simple and beautiful lesson from Jesus about hearing the word of God. Jesus used parables to take the familiar and visible, such as seed growing in different types of ground, and challenge his followers to think and understand the teaching. Those who pay attention, who listen and ponder, will be opened to understand and be converted. Being able to hear and understand these parables is the privilege of discipleship; for it is in opening our hearts and seeking to understand that God’s truth will become known to us, enriching our faith.

If our relationship with God is a journey, then we should regularly pause and become aware of how we are receiving His word. Are we on the path, the rocky ground, amidst thorns, or have we developed a rich soil? If we do not know, then we cannot tend it properly and move our hearts from one location to another. Even those who are in the rich soil must continue to nurture and enrich it regularly or risk allowing the thorns to grow.

By using the image of seed among rich soil, growing into healthy plants that bear fruit, Jesus calls us to awareness. That opening our ears to hear His word, our eyes to see His love in the world, and our hearts to receive and give others God’s love, brings about a healing that changes our life.

If our relationship with God is a journey, then we should regularly pause and become aware of how we are receiving His word. #dailygospel

Ponder:

Spend some time today considering where you are when you hear God’s words. Are you on the path, the rocky ground, amidst thorns, or rich soil? What can you do to nurture the seed in your heart?