Scattered seed

Sunday, July 10, 2011
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time—A

Isaiah 55:10-11
Romans 8:18-23
Matthew 13:1-23

In the opening verses of Scripture, God blesses humanity, saying, “Be fertile and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). In the closing verses of the Bible, John is shown “the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year” (Revelation 22:1-2).

God calls us, his children, to be fruitful according to his Word—but not of our own accord. It is God’s lavish generosity that plants, waters, warms, and produces the growth that leads to fruitfulness.

It may seem to us sometimes that God’s graciousness is wasteful and foolish. The seed of his Word is scattered recklessly for all, but is often met with indifference, ignorance, opposition, and despair—both in the world and within our own hearts. As St. Paul says in today’s second reading, “we know that all creation is groaning in labor pains.”

However, marvelous effects result whenever just a few seeds are sown within receptive hearts. As Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “the one who hears the word and understands it bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” God’s generosity cannot be outdone. His Word, like the rain sent from the heavens to water the earth, will achieve its end.

Despite the barren, rocky, thorny terrain within and around us, those tiny seeds watered by heavenly dew will produce abundant, sweet fruit hanging from the branches of the tree of life in God’s garden (cf. Rev. 2:7).

Let us taste and see!