Question of the Week, July 12, 2020, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
One of my favorite late-May rituals is cleaning out the flowerpots on my balcony and adding fresh soil before planting herbs and flowers. This means first pulling out any remaining dead roots or stray starts of weeds and plants so that each spring I have a fresh start to my humble garden.
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 13: 1-23), we are reminded that providing good soil for the planting of the Word of God also means time first spent in preparation, removing rocks and stones, cutting away thorny branches, and adding fresh soil as needed.
In his Angelus address from July 13, 2014, Pope Francis reminds us:
[W]e are the land where the Lord tirelessly throws the seed of His Word and His love. What is our disposition when we receive it? How is our heart? What does the ground look like: a path, a stone, a thorn bush? It’s up to us to become good soil without thorns or stones, but tilled and cultivated with care, so that it can bring forth good fruit for us and for [others]. At every Mass, the good seed of the Gospel is sown in us ever anew, by means of the table of the Word of God: a seed to be accepted, to safeguard, to live.
This week, think about the garden of your heart and soul. Is it ready to receive the Word of God, or are there still preparations to be made? Talk with Jesus about any thorns or stones that are in your way.
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on the topics of prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. In addition, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.Product Recommendation
Praying the Scriptures
Catechists, religion teachers, and parents will find a wealth of resources designed to help them lead others in learning and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures in the classroom and in the home. Classroom Sessions provide catechists and religion teachers with background on the Sunday readings as well as classroom session plans for primary, intermediate, and junior high students. Questions of the Week for adults and children, in English and in Spanish, are perfect for use in parish bulletins or school newsletters, and as faith-sharing discussion starters about the Sunday readings. A liturgical year calendar is also offered for ease of reference.