Collect for 15th Sunday Year A

 COLLECT SERIES

Collect Series: The Mass

The Collect for the 15th Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

O God, who show the light of Your Truth to those who go astray,

So that they may return to the right path,

Give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians

the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ

And to strive after all that does it honour.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What is the light of Truth that Jesus needs to show me this week in my life?
2. Examine my life and ask what areas have gone astray?
3. What will I choose to do return to the right path( e.g. sacrament of reconciliation, plan my goals and action plan)
4. How do I nurture my faith and how will I nurture it this coming week?
5. What are the temptations in my life which I find difficult to honour Christ?
6. How will I honour Jesus this week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today’s Gospel is from Matthew 13: 1-23- the sower and the seed. 

The parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23 is a poignant lesson about the different responses people have towards the Word of God.

Jesus describes four types of soils that seeds fall on, representing different reactions to His message. The first soil is the path, where seeds are eaten by birds. This symbolizes those who hear the Word but do not understand it, and the evil one snatches it away. The second soil is rocky, where seeds spring up quickly but wither due to lack of roots. This represents those who initially receive the Word with joy, but quickly fall away when troubles arise because their faith is shallow. The third soil is thorny, where seeds are choked by worries and the deceitfulness of wealth. This symbolizes those who hear the Word but allow worldly anxieties and materialistic desires to choke out their faith. The final soil is good, where seeds produce a bountiful crop. This represents those who hear, understand, and accept the Word, bearing fruit in their lives.

This parable offers deep insights for personal introspection. It invites us toexamine our own lives and ask: "What kind of soil am I?"

It is a call to self-awareness and change, encouraging us to strive to be the good soil that hears, understands, and produces fruit. It reminds us that faith isn't just about hearing or accepting the Word, but about understanding it and letting it transform us.

It also offers a broader perspective on evangelization. Not everyone will accept or understand God's Word, and not everyone who initially accepts it will remain steadfast. Some will be distracted by life's worries or seduced by material wealth. But there will be others who accept it, understand it, and let it bear fruit in their lives. The sower's job is not to predetermine the soil's nature but to sow generously.

In conclusion, this parable isn't just a reflection on individual responses to God's Word but also a reflection on the Kingdom of God itself. Like a seed sown in good soil, the Kingdom begins small but grows and produces a great harvest. Even when faced with setbacks and challenges, the potential for growth and transformation is immense when the Word of God is accepted and understood.