Blessed are those who observe the Word of the Lord with an upright heart / and who bear much fruit, persevering to the end!

 

Blessed are those who observe the Word of the Lord with an upright heart / and who bear much fruit, persevering to the end!

First Reading: 1 Timothy 6:13-16

Reading of the first letter of Saint Paul to Timothy – Dearly beloved, 13before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who bore good witness to the truth before Pontius Pilate, I command you: 14keep your mandate intact and without blemish until the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15This manifestation will be made at the appropriate time by the blessed and only sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16the only one who possesses immortality and who dwells in an inaccessible light, which no man has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen. – Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 99(100)

With song present yourselves before the Lord!

1. Shout to the Lord, O whole earth, † serve the Lord with joy, / go to him, singing joyfully! – R.

2. Know that the Lord alone is God. † He himself made us, and we are his, / we are his people and his flock. – R.

3. Enter through its doors giving thanks, † and into its courts with hymns of praise; / give him thanks, bless his name! – R.

4. Yes, the Lord and our God is good, † his goodness endures forever, / his love is faithful forever! – R.

Gospel: Luke 8,4-15

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Blessed are those who observe the Word of the Lord with an upright heart / and who bear much fruit, persevering to the end! (Lc 8,15) – R.

Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke – At that time, 4a great crowd gathered, and from all the cities they came to Jesus. Then he told this parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed. While he was sowing, some fell by the wayside; it was trampled underfoot and the birds of the air ate it. 6Another part fell on rocks; it sprouted and dried up, because there was no moisture. 7Another part fell among thorns; the thorns grew together and choked her. 8Another part fell on good ground; it sprouted and bore fruit, a hundredfold.” Saying this, Jesus exclaimed: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9The disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10Jesus replied, “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. But to others, only through parables, so that when they look they do not see and when they hear they do not understand. 11The parable means this: the seed is the Word of God. 12Those on the side of the road are those who heard, but then the devil comes and takes the Word from their hearts, so that they do not believe and are not saved. 13Those on the rock are those who, hearing, receive the Word with joy. But they have no root: for a moment they believe, but, in the hour of temptation, they turn back. 14Those who fell among thorns are those who hear, but as time passes, they are suffocated by the worries, wealth and pleasures of life and do not mature. 15And those who fell on good ground are those who, listening with a good and generous heart, keep the Word and bear fruit through perseverance.” – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

To the large crowd, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and then explains it to his disciples. It is the disposition (different types of terrain) with which people welcome the Word. We know, from the Gospels, that Jesus was always willing and did not miss any opportunity to announce the Kingdom of God. However, among the listeners, some were impenetrable (rocky ground); others, superficial enthusiasts; There were those who, after hearing the Word, allowed themselves to be seduced by material goods; Finally, many heard the Word and gave full consent, opening themselves to faith and faithful following of Jesus. In our days, the Word of God continues to be sown in multiple ways, also through digital media. It remains to be seen how Christians are “managing” the great treasure of this word!

(Day by Day with the Gospel 2023)