Gospel: (Matthew 13: 1-23) 

Jesus said: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came up 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 chocked it.  But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.  Whoever has ears ought to hear.” 

Reflection: 

If we see ourselves as the sower, the parable takes us in the direction of learning to know God and having union with God. We ourselves are the ones who spread the word of good news. If we see ourselves as the seed, it reminds us that we sow God’s word wherever we are, by word and example. If we see ourselves as the soil, we are directed to examine the cares and distractions of our lives to see if they stand in the way of open eyes, open ears and open hearts. This is our call to discipleship! God is extravagant with the seed, and he is doing everything to prepare the soil so that the word can take root. All we need to do is “see with our eyes, hear with our ears and understand with our hearts(Living Liturgy, p.196) 

Vincentian Meditation:           

A fellow student challenged Frederic by saying: “Today Christianity is dead.  Indeed, you people who boast about being Catholics, what are you doing? Where are the works which demonstrate your Faith…?” The Holy Spirit inspired Frederic with these words that touched the heart and mind of each person in the room: “We must do what is most agreeable to God.  Therefore, we must do what our Lord Jesus Christ did when preaching the Gospel. Let us go to the poor.” (Ramson, Praying with Frederic, p.86) 

Discussion: (Share your thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence.) 

As disciples who are “Sower, Seed and Soil”, how do we have hearts that love, eyes that see and ears that hear the cries of the poor?

Closing Prayer: 

            Lord, make us sowers, who spread the good news,

                         -with eyes to see the poor.

            Lord, make us your seed in our words and example,

-with ears to hear the cries of the poor.

            Lord, make us your rich soil ,

–with hearts filled with love and mercy. Amen