Each of this week’s scriptures has touched me in a personal, even though different, way.
Isaiah 55:10-11, “Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful… So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will.” As a reader at church, I humbly hope that I’m helping with the success of this scripture. Many folks, especially children, ‘zone-out’ during the readings at Mass. If the reader / Lector reads too quickly, or mumbles, the purpose for which God sent out His ‘Inspired Word’ is lost. Any minister at a Catholic Mass should be fed & enjoy what they’re doing. A great part of that enjoyment is serving Our Lord well. God certainly enjoys it when we serve Him… Well.!! Then, of course, we have The Word which is Jesus Christ who ‘Did’maccomplish His Father’s will. Jesus tried to ministerially grab ahold of the chosen people, shake them up, and bring them back into the intimate love of God. Jesus tried so hard, He really did. Eventually the message for the chosen ones will be given to the Gentiles, who will accept it with Love and Gratitude.
Responsorial Psalm, Luke 8:8, The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
Romans 8:18-23, Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing, compared with the glory to be revealed for us. ***For those of us who are ill or terminally ill our sufferings can be all too real. We offer our discomfort to God to pay the debts of the poor souls in Purgatory. We can only accomplish this Grace by keeping our eyes on the prize, spending our Salvation with Jesus and the Father for Eternity
Matt 13:1-23,The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.
***This scripture reminds me of another word from Jesus. John 16:12, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
**There are thousands of highly trained scripture scholars that truly amaze me with the amount of knowledge they retain. When I’m listening to their reflections, I think to myself, that my brain would burst if I had to know all of that info. Both Matthew & John are aimed in that direction… Not being able to handle all the gifts that Christ has for us. This is more than just knowledge but refers also to Love, Faith, Ministry, sacrifice and much more. This also accents, point-blank, that we are all endowed with separate gifts / Charisms from the Holy Spirit. My writings & the gift of joy-joy-joy are designed to make folks ‘Feel’, possibly ‘new’ feelings. NO history lessons here.
“Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no roots (understanding) 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 (Bills, Jobs etc.) choke the word, and it bears no fruit. **But the seed sown on rich soil is the person who hears the word and understands it. They indeed bear fruit, and yields, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” **May your faith and life truly bear “Good Fruit” joyfully one hundred-fold… JOY- JOY- JOY, MARK GATES.
