Dear Parish Family,

This Sunday is the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.  In the shorter form of the Gospel of Matthew (13:1-9), Jesus shares a parable about a sower who went out to sow seed.  Of course, we know that the seed is the word of God and Christ is the sower.  Jesus says, “A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.  It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots.  Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.  But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.  Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

We must spend time with God’s word in prayer.  Reading the Bible, embracing spiritual practices such as the “Lectio Divina” and praying the Rosary with scripture are just some examples of this.  As in any relationship, spending time with our Lord will lead us to know, love and serve Him more deeply.

Our hearts can be that rich soil where the seeds that are sown can bear rich, spiritual fruit.  In turn, we are called to be sowers of the Word.  Our own good example and desire to know and share our Catholic faith are desperately needed in today’s world.  Let’s not allow “worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word” out of our minds and hearts.

As always, I pray that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy

God bless you

Fr. Dan Redmond