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FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A, JULY 12, 2026

Reflection: MATHEW 13:1-9

THEME: THE GOD OF SURPRISES

In the Gospel today, Jesus gives the parable of the Sower who went out to sow seeds. He scattered his seeds all over, on the pathways, on the rocky grounds, among the thorns ,  while some fell on the good soil.

The immediate image that comes to us here is a farmer who plants seeds during the farming season. But let us reflect deeper on the farmer and farming. A farmer usually plants the sees he might have been drying from the the previous season, examples the dry corn, okro, yam, and the rest. After these efforts, would the farmer scatter the seeds anyhow and anywhere, including among the thorns, stones and the footpath? Furthermore, the current fertilizers that we have now were not available at the time of Jesus. At that time, the farmer used to start preparing the ground long enough by throwing refuse on the farm so that the ground would have enough manure before the planting season. After these preparations, he would surely plant his seeds on the fertile soil not on thorny and rocky grounds.

The Sower Jesus speaks about today is God Himself. The see is the word of God. As the sower scattered the seed everywhere, so God scatters His grace generously and recklessly. The grace of God is all-encompassing. The grace of God does not exclude anyone. Unlike the farmer who sows only on well prepared good soil, God does not select where to shower his grace. Have you ever noticed a plant busting out from among rocks? You may begin to wonder how  did it happen.  That is an example of how God's grace can locate someone you never expected. That is how something good can come out of the poor sinner whom we human beings have lost hope in.

The following is how William Barclay interpretes the various seeds. The seeds that fell on the path(by the wayside) are those whose minds have been trampled by the daily rush of life. They hear the word of God. But some selfish thoughts make it difficult for their minds to accept the word. The seeds that fell on rocky ground are those who hear the word of God and accept it with quick enthusiasm. But they lack the depth and discipline to endure when hardship or persecution comes. Those that fell among thorns are those who hear the word of God, but the worldly worries, deceit of wealth, deceit of the flesh and worldly distractions suffocate their spiritual lives. Those that fell on good soil are those who hear the word of God, understand it, take is as the word of God and not some human thinking, they obey the word, and put the word into practice. 

All of us, fall into the different categories at different times. God understands our nature. This is why he allows the weed and wheat to grow together until the last day. This is why he allows the sun and the rain to bless everyone without any discrimination. This is why God has not finished with any of us. This is why He is the God of surprises.

Each of us must make good use of these unmerited grace God showers generously on us daily. We must make honest efforts to be the seeds that fell among the good soil. We must make efforts to produce abundant harvests because....

Jesus Loves You!