FIRST READING
Jeremiah 3:14-17
Return, rebellious children, says the LORD, for I am your Master; I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. When you multiply and become fruitful in the land, says the LORD, They will in those days no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the LORD!” They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another.
At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD’s throne; there all nations will be gathered together to honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem, and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13
R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings: The grain, the wine, and the oil, the sheep and the oxen.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
ALLELUIA
See Luke 8:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.”
REFLECTIONS:
How good are you at listening, especially for the
word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding
of his word. This parable of Jesus is a warning to those who hear
and who preach the word of God. What makes us ineffective and unresponsive
to God's word? Preoccupation with other things can distract us from what
is truly important and worthwhile. And letting our hearts and minds
be consumed with material things can easily weigh us down and draw us away
from the treasure that lasts for eternity. God's word can only take root
in a receptive heart which is docile and ready to hear what God has to
say. One lesson is clear: the harvest is sure.While some seed will
fall by the wayside and some fall on shallow ground and never come to maturity,
and some be choked to death by the thorns; nonetheless a harvest will come.
The seed that falls on good soil, on the heart that is receptive, will
reap abundant fruit. Are you teachable and eager to learn God's truth?
And do you allow anything to keep you from submitting to God's word with
joy and trusting obedience?
"Lord Jesus, help me to guard the word you have planted in my heart
that no doubt or temptation may keep me from believing and obeying you.
May I be fruitful in your service and may I never fear to speak of you
to others and to share with them the good news of the gospel."
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