July 12 - Fifteenth Sunday of the Ordinary Time: God’s Word

 

First Reading  Isaiah 55:10-11
The Word of the Lord shall achieve its purpose.

Responsorial Psalm   Psalm 65:10-14
A prayer of praise to God for his abundance.

Second Reading   Romans 8:18-23
Together with all of creation, we await God’s redemption.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 13:1-23 (shorter form: Matthew 13:1-9)

 

In today’s Gospel Jesus describes four possible responses to the word of God. The seed on the foot path refers to those people who quickly lose the word because they do not understand it. The seed on rocky ground describes those who have no firm foundation. The seed fallen among thorns relates to those who receive the good news, but later abandon it for the lure of the world. Finally, the seed on good soil describes those who hear the word of God, accept it, and conform their lives to it.