Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 16, 2023
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July 15, 2023Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 16, 2023
Isaiah 55: 10-11 - Thus says the Lord; Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Usually, during a California summer, the image of rain coming down on us is rather remote. However, when I was a child in Pennsylvania and later Indiana, summer rains were common. I still remember listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops, safe and snug in bed under the eaves in our cozy Cape Cod house; or, as a young man, on the sides of a pup tent after a day of hiking. There was always a sense of peace and calm before the voice of God in nature. I felt assured to rest in the Lord’s loving embrace.
Isaiah uses this image to express the bounty of God’s love and grace for us. God is never stingy, but always lavish in coming into our world and our lives. The ultimate act of unconditional love took place when He sent us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Instead of the image of rain, Jesus goes one-step further and speaks of the sower and the seed. The bountiful seeds sown represent God’s extraordinary care for us. This testament or covenant established once and for all in Jesus Christ will never be taken away or erased, no matter what. Set firmly in place is God’s love for every one of us.
Yet that is not enough. We must respond as good soil to the sower and the seed. In our free will we can ignore the Word of God, or not take it seriously, or even let ourselves fall away because of worldliness. Excuses are abundant and we can be seduced. We must always be on guard. We must aim high to live as saints for it is easy to slip from saintliness to mere holiness, to goodness, to just fair, to mediocre, to bad. Our resolve is to respond fully to Jesus, the loving Lord.
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
