Jul 23 – CHRISTIAN LIVING STARDANDS

~ cmfeastafrica

Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 13: 18-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root 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 choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

CHRISTIAN LIVING STARDANDS: The Ten Commandments sets the ethical standards of our Christian life. However, it is amazing to see that there are those Christians whose life reflects little or none of the values stipulated in the commandments.  Jesus explains the parable of the sower to his disciples. The same seed of the word is sown on different hearts and it yields different results. The results are the effects that can be seen by the way we live our day-to-day Christian life. We are invited to find ourselves in the parable. Has the word of God that I have been hearing over the years impacted my character as a Christian and to what extent?

PRAYER: We pray for the disposition to listen to the word of God and produce the fruits of holy life and good works.

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RECEPTIVITY OF THE WORD: God sows the Word in all people. Unfortunately, in many hearts the sown Word goes to waste, having the same fate as the seeds fallen on the path, on rocky ground, or among thorns. Jesus wants all his disciples to be good soil and hence allow the seed to produce abundantly. Transformed by the word, we need to transmit it and transform society. Does our faith sway at the slightest temptation? God trusts in our ability to face challenges.

Published by cmfeastafrica