Daily Reflection for Wednesday, July 20 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072022.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Responsorial: Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6b, 15 and 17
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit . . . Matthew 13:8
What is this rich soil—this fertile ground that Jesus is talking about? In my more casual reading of this passage, I tended to believe that the fertile ground was about being good, doing the right things, and believing and saying the correct things.
Life has taught me a different lesson. Today I believe my fertile ground—my rich soil, is my brokenness. Just as the farmer has to till the soil and break up the harden ground, so life itself—my disappointments, my failures, my losses, and even my aging. These break open my heart, hardened by self-centeredness, self-righteousness, and self-delusion. For much of my life, I regarded my brokenness, which I tried to hide as best I could, as making me less lovable in the eyes of God.
But today I see how it is only these experiences of being broken that have truly opened me to the redeeming love of the Lord that alone brings healing and relief to my soul.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, bless us with the humility and grace that allows us to see the depth of your love for each one of us who in our brokenness turn to you. Amen
Another prodigal son,
Ed Mitchell