Ordinary Weekday
Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31: 10, 11-12abcd, 13
Alleluia: Luke 8: 15
Gospel: Matthew 13: 18-23
First Reading: Jeremiah 3: 14-17
14 Return, O ye revolting children, saith the Lord: for I am your husband: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a kindred, and will bring you into Sion.
15 And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine.
16 And when you shall be multiplied, and increase in the land in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more: The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come upon the heart, neither shall they remember it, neither shall it be visited, neither shall that be done any more.
17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the thrown of the Lord: and all the nations shall be gathered together to it, in the name of the Lord to Jerusalem, and they shall not walk after the perversity of their most wicked heart.
Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31: 10, 11-12abcd, 13
R. (10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the islands that are afar off, and say: He that scattered Israel will gather him: and he will keep him as the shepherd doth his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
11 For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and delivered him out of the hand of one that was mightier than he.
12abcd And they shall come, and shall give praise in mount Sion: and they shall flow together to the good things of the Lord, for the corn, and wine, and oil, and the increase of cattle and herds.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, the young men and old men together: and I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them joyful after their sorrow.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Alleluia: Luke 8: 15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
15 Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 13: 18-23
18 Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side.
20 And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy.
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized.
22 And he that received the seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choketh up the word, and he becometh fruitless.
23 But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty.
Reflection
God does not abandon his scattered people. He gathers them, guards them as a shepherd guards his flock, and promises to lead them through faithful pastors who nourish them with knowledge and truth. His desire is not simply to bring us back, but to establish us in a life where his word can truly govern our hearts.
The parable of the sower shows why this gathering must become a personal response. The word may be taken away, welcomed briefly, or gradually choked by anxiety and the attraction of riches. Yet good soil receives the word, understands it, and patiently bears fruit. Perseverance is part of discipleship; a joyful beginning must become a rooted life. God’s grace can turn mourning into joy and gather what has been scattered, but we must keep making room for his word. A quiet, honest examination of what competes for our attention can help us receive it more deeply. When Scripture is heard with a generous heart and practiced faithfully, it does not remain an idea. It becomes fruitful in the way we live.
Prayer
Lord God, faithful Shepherd, gather my scattered thoughts and desires and lead me back to your word. Give me a generous heart that receives your truth with humility. Protect me from allowing trials to uproot my faith or worldly concerns to choke your grace. Through the guidance of those who serve your people, deepen my understanding and strengthen my perseverance. Turn sorrow into hope, and make my life fruitful in ways that praise you and serve others. May your word take firm root in me and remain faithful through every season. Amen.
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