15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 12 July 2020
“A sower went out to sow.”
Full Printable Version Here
Something to Think About
Do you know the difference between hearing and listening? Sometimes we might hear somebody talking to us, but we are not really listening. Maybe we are distracted, or maybe our hearts are not open to hearing or responding to what the other person is saying. It is just like this when we hear the message of Jesus too. Is your heart open to hearing the
word of God today?
The Story
Today’s gospel is a parable about the Kingdom. The ‘Kingdom’ is a key theme throughout Matthew’s gospel. Jesus told stories using images and objects that were familiar to the people – in this case it was the planting of seeds. The seeds represent Jesus’ message and the soil represents how different people respond to or listen to Jesus’ message.
The Scriptures
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 13:3-9
Then Jesus taught them many things by using stories. He said:
“A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds. Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil was not very deep. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots.
Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants.
But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered.
If you have ears, pay attention!”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Family Discussion
Talk together about the ways your family practises your faith (daily prayer, going to Sunday Mass, caring for others, etc.).
Remind one another that you do these things as a family so that God’s Word can take root in your lives and God’s love will show in your actions, thoughts, and words.
Family Activity
You will need four small pots or containers, (one filled with gravel, one with rocks, one with weeds or thistles, and one with potting mix), and quick sprouting seeds.
Plant seeds in each of the pots, water the seeds, and make sure they get sunshine.
What happens to the seeds in each pot?
Which is the best ‘ground’ for the seed to grow in?
God wants us to be the ‘good soil’ that God’s word grows in so it can be shared with others.