Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 12 July 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 55: 10-11
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the Sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (10-11)
The Lord God speaks through his Prophet Isaiah today. We were praying a few days ago for rain in various parts of the world, while today we may be praying that the flooding, due to the rains, may subside! We are reminded that the Lord God is the Lord of all creation, and we thank him for the same. While we human beings need to participate in God’s plan of creation by being good and wise stewards!
The Lord God also seeks to remind us that His word accomplishes that which He purposes and succeeds. We thank the Lord God Almighty for his mercy on us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 65: 10, 11-14
You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
Alleluia, Amen!
Second Reading: Romans 8: 18-23
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (22-23)
St. Paul explains to us today the reason for suffering in the world. Through suffering, creation is purified and set free from its bondage to decay! Even the Saints who went before us awaited in hope. Christ Jesus himself describes to us the persecutions that will mark the end of times, as the birth pangs for redemption! (Matt 24: 8, Mark 13: 8)
Let us remain united in hope. Let us not be deceived by false narratives that may be spread through various media! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-23
“But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (23)
Lord Jesus Christ explains the parable of the Sower to his disciples. Each one of us can reflect and know the level of our maturity in faith. If we have been granted the grace to listen to his word, we ought to strive to understand it. If we understand the word, it is the Holy Spirit who opens our minds; so we gratefully keep his word. The Lord’s word in our life bears fruit, and we must not ignore the graces we receive.
Let us train our minds to see the goodness of God in our lives! Let us value and nurture the gifts we have received. Let us bear fruit pleasing to the Lord! I reckon that here, “bearing fruit” doesn’t imply an easy application of faith — it would mean stepping out of one’s comfort zone and having to expend ourselves, whether physically or psychologically. The “bearing” doesn’t mean suffering – because we know that it produces the fruit pleasing to the Abba Father, in preparation for our redemption! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Happy Sunday, everyone!
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