2026/07/12 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

- Christina Oropeza, Love Your Neighbor Liaison

"Hear then 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."

Matthew 13:18-23

My son and I began a bedtime routine a number of years ago where we read a Bible story and then watch the animated version of it before bed. It usually divulges into him bargaining to watch 2 or 3 more before the lights go out. But, on a recent evening, we read and watched the Parable of the Sower and I was struck yet again by the truth of the words and scenarios outlined. I could easily identify moments in my life where the seed didn’t take root. I can remember the times I’ve cowered away, hidden my beliefs or was too scared to speak up because I feared the opinions or assumptions of co-workers or new friends. I can list, almost daily, the times when “worldly anxieties” crept in and choked my grounding in the world. My husband just reminded me the other day – “why are you letting these weeds take over your mind?”

And then God gently reminds me to open my Bible (or the app, in my case). It’s hard for me to always stay consistent with the rhythm but, when I do, I’m reminded of why it matters. It speaks in a way that nourishes, encourages and propels us forward to live with purpose. It gets us outside of ourselves and invites us to partake in the beautiful plan of the Lord. One where we are called to reach out in love to others, sharing the Gospel story that changes lives forever.