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St. Elizabeth Seton Virtual Parish

Breaking Open the Word

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We see Jesus speaking to his Heavenly Father in today’s passage from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus praises the Father for revealing the Kingdom of God to the little ones AND hiding it from the wise and learned. It is hidden from the wise and learned. Why? Perhaps they are too full of themselves to receive the Kingdom of God; the wise and learned may seem themselves as deserving of the Kingdom of God, maybe even entitled. By stating that the Father reveals his truth to the “little ones”, Jesus underlines that being received into the kingdom is not based on the merits of the recipient, but the openness of the recipient’s heart to the Spirit.

In order to become “little ones” we must empty ourselves of pride. We are called to become like Christ the King and seek to be meek and humble of heart. Jesus invites us – Come to me. However, to run to Christ, we must empty ourselves of self. We are asked to be like a child that runs to his Father in difficult times.

July 5 - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Chapter 13 of Matthew’s gospel is filled with parables – this week we explore the parable of the sower and the seeds, and where those seeds land. These parables helped the less learned to whom Jesus was preaching, to better understand those teachings. In the gospel, Jesus is again teaching outside – likely because of the number listening but also, it helps facilitate the use of the parables and this one in particular.
This well known parable of the sower and the seeds is rather unique in its presentation in our gospel as it includes a warning in the gospel, but then Jesus goes on to actually explain the parable. Many times, the teachings of Jesus will provide instruction but we are then left to ponder what the teaching really means. In this case, He does explain it.

Jesus is teaching in Palestine, in an area inhabited by farmers, people who could align themselves with the sower. Farmers spread their seed across the fields – the fields in Palestine are rocky and yet have thin layers of dirt in which plants may grow. The land was difficult to plow, and when it could be plowed, the weeds that were present, mainly wild thorns, would just be plowed under rather than pulled. In doing so, the weeds remained among the seed and could choke off the seedlings – the sower sows anyway. The more seed that was planted, regardless where it fell, still contained the potential for crops.

In this parable, Jesus is both the sower and the land – all things are from Him and grow because of Him. The disciples ask Jesus why He uses parables so often. His answer is the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom had been granted to them, but not to all. The Greek word in the text is “mysterion”, which in Latin is “sacramentum”, meaning covenant. There are those outside the covenant who did not as yet understand their need to participate in the covenant – these are the people to whom Jesus gives the warning to listen.
Jesus explains and differentiates the various places where the seed is spread and the effect of spreading the seed in different areas – the seed is sown anyway. The final category reflects those who hear, understand and live the teachings of Christ. These will be the souls who greatly flourish.

July 12 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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July 19 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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July 26 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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August 2 - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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