From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:18–23
Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Pay Attention.
The Lord always has something to say to us through His Word today, right now, in this particular situation, to me personally, and to each one of us.
In this Gospel, He tells us that we can hear His Word and keep it with us in prayer, or we can choose not to listen and ignore it. But what the Lord is asking of us is to put it into practice, to let His Word take root in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives, in our marriages, and in our families through concrete actions. He wants us to live every situation the way He would, so that it is truly Him living in me. So that where there is pride in me, there may be His humility. Where there is my impatience, there may be His patience. Where there is my anger, there may be His gentleness. Where there is my selfishness, there may be His self-giving love.
Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, which is always alive.
Applied to Married Life:
Carmen: The priest explained the Gospel so beautifully today. It really struck me when he said that God’s Word is useless if we leave it at church and don’t take it home with us.
Elías: Yeah, that’s true. Sometimes we hear really beautiful things, but then we just go on living the same way. We have to let the Lord truly change us.
Carmen: I hope we can actually do that.
Carmen: Elías, can you come and help me get this box upstairs for a minute? I can’t do it by myself.
Elías: Not now… Hang on, I’m just finishing watching this… It’s a key moment for the World Cup.
Carmen: Elías, it’s been a few minutes already. Can you come now? I could really use your help.
Elías: Oh, come on! Can’t you see I’m watching the game? You can take it upstairs later.
Carmen: Elías, look at me for a second. Do you remember what we heard this morning? The priest said that God’s Word has to show up in the little things, in the way we serve the person right next to us. I think the Lord is giving us a chance right now to actually live it out.
Elías: You’re right… I just realized it. A few hours ago, I was saying that I wanted to live the Gospel, and then the first chance I got, I thought only about myself. Please forgive me.
Carmen: Of course I forgive you.
Elías: I’ll come right now. We’ll take the box upstairs together.
Carmen: Thank you. Sometimes the Lord isn’t asking us to do extraordinary things. He simply asks us to be willing to put our own plans aside out of love for the other person.
Elías: That’s so true. It’s easy to walk out of a homily feeling inspired… and so much harder to actually live it a few hours later, right there in our own living room.
Carmen: What matters is that the Lord always gives us another chance to turn His Word into action.
Elías: Then let’s make the most of this one. And tonight, when we pray together, let’s thank Him for correcting us with so much love.
Mother,
Help us to embody the Word of God as you did, so that we may draw closer to your Son. Praised be the Lord.