Daily Readings - Sun Jul 16 2017

Second Reading - Romans 8.18-23

¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with that future glory which shall be revealed in us¹⁹For the anticipation of the creature anticipates the revelation of the sons of God²⁰For the creature was made subject to emptiness, not willingly, but for the sake of the One who made it subject, unto hope²¹For the creature itself shall also be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the sons of God²²For we know that every creature groans inwardly, as if giving birth, even until now²³and not only these, but also ourselves, since we hold the first-fruits of the Spirit. For we also groan within ourselves, anticipating our adoption as the sons of God, and the redemption of our body

Gospel - Matthew 13.1-9

Matthew

Chapter 13

¹In that day, Jesus, departing from the house, sat down beside the sea²And such great crowds were gathered to him that he climbed into a boat and he sat down. And the entire multitude stood on the shore³And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow seed⁴And while he was sowing, some fell beside the road, and the birds of the air came and ate it⁵Then others fell in a rocky place, where they did not have much soil. And they sprung up promptly, because they had no depth of soil⁶But when the sun rose up, they were scorched, and because they had no roots, they withered⁷Still others fell among thorns, and the thorns increased and suffocated them⁸Yet some others fell upon good soil, and they produced fruit: some one hundred fold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold⁹Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the journey of faith and the hope that sustains us. The second reading from Romans reminds us that our current struggles are but a shadow of the glory that awaits us. Paul encourages us to endure suffering with patience, knowing that creation itself groans in anticipation of redemption. This passage is part of Paul's broader discussion on the Spirit and the hope of future glory, reassuring us that our trials are not in vain. The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the sower, a powerful metaphor for how we receive God's Word. Jesus illustrates four responses to the seed: some reject it immediately, others embrace it superficially but falter, some let worries choke the Word, and a few nurture it to bear abundant fruit. This parable, part of Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God, challenges us to examine the soil of our hearts. Both readings converge on themes of endurance and hope. Romans emphasizes enduring suffering with hope, while the parable calls us to receive God's Word with openness and commitment. In our daily lives, we are urged to cultivate the good soil of our hearts, allowing God's Word to take root and flourish despite life's challenges. Let us trust in God's plan, nurture our faith, and bear fruit in abundance, knowing that our perseverance will yield eternal rewards.