Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 26, 2019
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower.
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 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.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Earlier in the Gospel, when Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples’ fear of death gave way to awe: “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” (Mt 8:24-27). Only our Creator could possibly do that, but—has he come to dwell among us?
Today the Lord shares with us an image from the mystery of his heart. He calls this image “the parable of the sower.” Yet as soon as the parable begins, the sower himself seems to vanish from it. Who is he? What sort of sower is this?
Certainly, hidden from view, he lavishes on all alike the “word of the kingdom.” But the person who remains distracted bears no fruit. Nor does another who smiles but lacks any root. Worldly cares and riches cloud the vision of a third. In the barren soils we have made, the kingdom seems to wither and die. And, in some sense, don’t we as well? “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25).
As I wonder where to find this rich soil, how to be fruitful, I thank the sower that he has not left me to my own devices! Rather, he has emptied himself and become rich soil to nourish his kingdom among us. In the Eucharist, Jesus plants the kingdom in us, but he also sows us into the rich valley of his own heart, the heart of our Creator, who makes all things new. Here, as his body, we are free to bear fruit, while gently and strongly he will thieve from us the bird, the rocks, and the thorns that hold us captive.
Doesn’t it hurt, my Jesus, when you sow us into your heart, your body, the Church? But when we are here, the sweetness of your cross allures us, and you free us to abide in your love, even unto death.
As today’s Gospel Acclamation proclaims, “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance, alleluia.”
Prayer
Holy God, may the Word we proclaim guide us, the Eucharist we share unite us. We are called to be Christ’s healing presence in a divided world. Watch over us and guide us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Sts. Anne and Joachim were the parents of Mary and are patron saints of grandparents.
We do not know much about Joachim and Anne—even their names have been handed on to us by tradition. The stories that have come down to us tell that they were likely well-off, and had been childless for most of their marriage. An angel appeared to them both to announce a birth in their old age, and Anne promised to dedicate the child to the service of God. Mary was their only child, and they presented her at the Temple when she was 3 years old, prefiguring the presentation of Jesus.
Though we know little about these people, the Church holds the parents of Mary in great esteem because they were the ones who taught her the faithfulness that she demonstrated in accepting God’s invitation to bear Jesus to the world.
Anne and Joachim are depicted in the Basilica in several places, including many wall murals that depict the life of Mary. They are shown here in this stained glass window from the Basilica, and their relics rest in the reliquary chapel there—including a piece from their house where they raised Mary.
Sts. Anne and Joachim, patron saints of grandparents—pray for us!