July 12, 2026
15th Sunday
Ordinary Time
FOCUS: Lord, plant your word in our hearts.
The images of the seed and God’s word run through the readings today. God is both sower and seed. He provides water and light and brings growth. As we contemplate this image of a seed bursting into life, let us pause and ask the Holy Spirit to help us be open to how God is working in us, providing us the grace we need to bear abundant fruit for him.
What's in Your Heart
Albert Einstein is reported to have said, "Sometimes, the thinking that has got us so far is inadequate to handle the problems of the place our thinking has got us to!" That might be why Jesus spoke in parables. These "stories with a twist" have the ability to alter our perceptions and help us break free of the thinking that has got us thus far.
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How would I answer the disciples' question, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
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Does today's parable of the sower and the seed engage my spiritual imagination?
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At my worst, what kind of "soil" am I likely to be: rocky, thorny, hard-worn?
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In what areas of my life am I likely to "look but not see" and "hear but not understand"?
Homily Stories
Every once in a while it is good for city folks to take a long drive into the country and see the row after row, acre after acre of crops growing. It helps them to realize what the farmers know, that it is hard work to raise the food we take for granted. It is hard work from the time of planting until the fruits and vegetables are in the bins of the grocery stores.
According to folklore, the corn is supposed to be "knee high by the Fourth of July." So last week would be an indication of how bountiful the harvest will be. Every planting is a risk for the farmer.
God takes the same risk with us. The seeds of faith have been planted carefully in us. How will they grow? What type of ground did they fall on? How much fruit will we bear? How is it all being nurtured?
Sometimes we go to the store and pick up six ears of corn, taking for granted that they will be there for us. And sometimes we take our faith for granted as well, instead of working hard to produce what God is asking of us. We need to do what needs to be done, showing our care and concern for others through prayer and action so that we will bear the fruit we know we should.
