Daily Gospel Reflection for July 28, 2023

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

Our Gospel today is Jesus taking the time to explain to His followers what the Parable of the Sower means. This explanation might seem superfluous to us reading it now. After all, we have heard this parable again and again. We know who each of the seeds represents. We have seen ourselves in each of those seeds as we have been those people. We have wavered in our faith, we have endured the tribulation and persecution Jesus speaks of, and we know all about anxiety and the lure of the world. And through it all, we wake each day striving to keep our seeds sown in the rich soil of the Church, the sacraments, and the Gospel.

Rather than the meaning of the parable, let’s consider what Jesus is doing. He is explaining what He said; He doesn’t want His followers to be confused. He doesn’t want us to be confused either. Whether it is what He says or teaches or what our Church teaches, God wants us to come to as full an understanding as we can this side of heaven.

And just like the seeds, we will have times of confusion in our walk with Jesus. My marriage began on this day some thirty-nine years ago and, despite being married in the Church, we defied the teaching of the Church and contracepted. It took several years of confusion and finally setting aside our pride to listen and act on the truth of our Church.

Don’t waste any time. If you are confused by something you heard or believe about the Church that just doesn’t make sense, keep searching. Ask Jesus to enlighten your heart and mind as He did the apostles'.

Ponder:

Is there a teaching of the Church or tenet of our faith that causes you confusion or anxiety? Are you willing to learn more about the why of that teaching?

Pray:

Lord, I desire to create rich soil and deep roots in my heart and family. Bring me to a fuller understanding of what the Church teaches so I may bear fruit a hundredfold.

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He doesn’t want His followers to be confused. Whether it is what He says or teaches or what our Church teaches, God wants us to come to as full an understanding as we can this side of heaven. #DailyGospel

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