Psalm 22: A Lament That Leads to Praise
July 23, 2025
FEAST OF SAINT CHRISTINA THE ASTONISHING AND SAINT CHRISTINA OF BOLSENA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR – 24th JULY
July 24, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
23 JULY, 2025
Matthew 13:1-9
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seeds fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this well-known parable of the sower, Jesus describes different kinds of soil that receive the seed—representing the Word of God. The hardened path, the rocky ground, the thorny soil, and the good soil each reflect the condition of a person’s heart. This parable reminds us that it is not enough to hear the Word; the state of our heart determines whether it will take root and bear fruit. Distractions, hardships, and spiritual negligence can choke or wither the Word. But when the heart is soft, teachable, and yielded to God, His Word grows deeply and abundantly. Our call is to prepare and guard our hearts so we may receive His truth with faith, perseverance, and fruitfulness.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help me to be like the good soil—open, receptive, and ready to receive Your truth. Remove the distractions, doubts, and hardness that hinder Your Word from taking deep root in my life. May I not be a hearer only, but a doer of Your Word, bearing fruit in every season. Cultivate my heart, Lord, so that Your truth may flourish in me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
