Scripture Reflection for Sunday, July 13, 2008

Scripture for 15th Sunday, Ordinary Time, A: Isaiah 55:10-11. Psalm 65:9,10-13. Romans 8:18-23. Matthew 13:1-23. Lectionary # 104: God's word is always effective and is similar to an "event" when it is spoken. The Hebrew word "DABAR" has this powerful connotation of being very effective. Isaiah uses the metaphor of rain watering the earth which can even make the desert, the Negev in Israel bloom. So, too, does God's word produce wondrous effects in creation and in us. The Psalm (65) changes the metaphor to a seed while showing what happens when the ground is well watered from the gentle rains of spring or the hearty ones of winter. A fruitful harvest results from these ordinary miracles of nature. Jesus speaks the parable of the sower and the seed thus supporting what we have experienced in the above readings. Matthew is dependent upon Mark for this parable which probably was the first one Jesus spoke; Mark gives it as the very first of the parables. Both the simple and direct presentation of this parable are given today; Matthew also adds an allegorical interpretation to the same parable. We probably have both the times of Jesus in the first rendition of it, then the time of the Church that Matthew is writing for in the second allegorical interpretation. Lessons or application of the parable can be applied to our spiritual life from both of these selections in Matthew. For the direct thrust of the parable which Jesus intended, we realize that God's presence will be effective whenever there is the openness of our hearts just like the good soil which produces a hundred, a sixty, and a thirty-fold. Good souls have a listening heart and do produce good effects just as God's word does in all of us. The allegorical interpretation lends itself to our realizing we have different stages of growth with some failures before we really grasp the power of God's word within our experiences. For God's word to be effective in us, we need to be open and prepared for it. It is effective through our dedication to a life of prayer and through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We then experience the fruits of a good harvest sometimes even a hundredfold. Since the word of God is so well emphasized in today's readings. we are encouraged to make it effective by attending to it throughout this Sunday. Pondering it over in the light of the Paschal Mysteries of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Amen. Monday of the 15th week in Ordinary time, July 14, 2008. Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-17. Psalm 50:8-9,16bc-17, 21 and 23. Matthew 10:34-11:1. Lectionary #389: Jesus is giving instructions to his disciples. His words are quite strong, even harsh. He is asking them to detach themselves from whomsoever would hold them back from following him closely. This includes family, friends, and loved ones. Are they willing to take up his burdensome call? To take up their tasks with him and after he dies will demand such detachment. Can they really give totally of themselves to the realm of God? Such strong demands on the cost of discipleship are necessary because of what lies ahead for them. Most of them will be faithful to their call and die as martyrs. Jesus promises them the graces necessary to do this. Even such a simple thing as their giving a cup of cold water to a "little one" is not forgotten by God, nor by Jesus their Master. Constrasts such as we have in today's selection from Matthew are necessary in life to help us grow; to enable us to see the bigger picture; to live up to the cost of discipleship. Contrasts help us to pray, to evaluate, to think things over before making a decision. Contrasting options are part of the spiritual life and are necessary in our discernment of things and circumstanes in which we find ourselves. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet is contrasting the behavior of Israel especially in their worship and their honesty with others. He urges them to wash themselves clean and to go to the heart of the matter when it comes to worship of God; mere externals are not enough. Isaiah contrasts his message with their offerings of sacrifices and their celebration of their feasts. True worship consists in holiness, justice, and charity not in rituals that lack this interior power. Our Psalm likewise challenges us to be righteous and holy people and not simply displayers of piety. We are not to be simply Sabbath or Sunday people. The weekdays are to be inundated with what should be happening to us on a Sabbath or a Sunday. Contrasts in Scripture and in our lives are wake-up calls that help us to grow more deeply in our relationship with God and with one another. Amen.