In this week's Gospel reading, we hear the familiar parable of the sower. Our Lord is the sower who sows the seeds, and we are the ground which receives the seed. The parable teaches us that our response to the Word of God is our responsibility because we can either reject or receive His Word. We might find many reasons for not receiving His Word, but it is the same result--the seed does not grow unless the ground is fertile. However, if we receive the Word of God with joy, the seed will grow and we will produce abundant fruit.

Readings:

Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 65:10-14
Romans 8:18-23
Matthew 13:1-23

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• The Word's Return (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology


• Parable of the Sower-Farming the Seeds of Faith (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from The Crossroads Initiative