Our readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10) follow. For a combined link to read them all, go here.
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:1-8 (9-13)
Romans 8:1-11
- Matthew tells us how the parable of the sower was told and explained by Jesus. While sometimes the seed produces little or no fruit, at other times it can be incredible.
- Isaiah sings about the natural cycle producing seed and bread. So too will God’s word, which will give us the results God intended. Those who carry forth his word proceed in joy with peace, and the very mountains and the hills break forth with singing. Even all the trees of the field shall clap their hands!
- Our Psalm celebrates that not only does God create the world, but he bursts forth in glorious, praiseworthy works of beauty and bounty for all to see and appreciate.
- In Romans we learn that there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus. We have been freed by the Holy Spirit from the law of sin and death. Jesus coming into the physical world and suffering for us put sin and death to death. We walk according to the Spirit and must keep our minds on things of the spirit. Focusing on the flesh will only lead to death, while we can live in the Spirit, because Christ lives in us! Just as he did who raised Jesus from the dead, so will he give life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in us.
We may feel that somehow the church is responsible for helping hearers of the word become open and receptive to it, but it really gets down to individual choice. If people want to learn and be discipled, we must do all we can to help, but it is their choice and commitment to do so that is most important. We are called to share the good seed of God’s word and to distribute it as widely and freely as we can. It will produce the results intended by God. He is good, his word is good, and our attempts to share his good seed are good. We are freed from sin and death and must live according to the Spirit within us, joyfully and peacefully. God is in charge, and we should cooperate in whatever ways we can. As Jesus says in verse 9, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”