Reflections on Scripture | Friday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 13:18-23

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.”

Reflection

In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that he understands human nature. There’s a force in the world that we have to be careful of called evil. There is a need for a commitment.

There is a need for being able to endure things that are difficult in a process of growing and understanding. But when it comes down to what makes the rich soil, it is basically a decision. This is something I want, something I need, something I want to believe in. And that's so important. It's not so much that we understand it initially, but we want what it promises more than we want anything else.

It’s about a commitment to the promise

Closing Prayer

Father, confusion is always going to be there. Temptation is always going to be there. Help us always to be steadfast in our desire for truth. We will never be disappointed. You will always answer that prayer. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross