In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about a sower who went out to sow seeds. Some seeds fell on the path and the birds ate it; this tells us about the people who do not live a Christian life because they are focused on worldly things. Some seeds fell on rocky ground where it had little soil; they represent the people who initially got attracted to a Christian lifestyle but gave it up when things got rough. Some seeds fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked them; they are the people who are concerned about what people think about them or those who are too preoccupied with things of the world. And the other seeds fell on rich soil and produced fruit; they are the people who have strong faith even in difficult moments and are fruitful in their lives.

This reminds me that the soil represents our hearts and the seed represent the message of God. The seed will flourish depending on how fertile the soil is. In the same way, the Word of God will sprout based on how our hearts receive it.

The Gospel invites us to cultivate within us a heart that is open and willing to receive His word so that the seed that He has sown may become a strong tree and bear much fruit. Further, it made me realize that every word that the presider speaks at mass is a living word because God is alive in those words. As a priest-in-process, I must be enriched by the word of God and be its ‘fertile’ bearer so that it may grow fruitfully in my heart and share the fruits with His people.

By: Sem. John Patrick C. Gamao

Today’s Gospel

Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”