A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 6, n. 33)
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – July 13, 2008
“So Shall My Word Be …”
BIBLE READINGS
Is 55:10-11 // Rom 8:18-23 // Mt 13:1-23
N.B. Series 6 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year A from the perspective of the First Reading. For another set of reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year A, please go to the PDDM Web Archives: WWW.PDDM.US and open Series 3.
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
The prophet Isaiah presents in this Sunday’s Old Testament reading (Is 55:10-11) the evocative and charming image of the rain and snow that do not dissipate till they have nourished the earth as a symbol of the efficacious power of God’s word. Indeed, the beautiful nature image of the rain and snow coming down from heaven to bring forth new life enables us to perceive the all-embracing providence of God and to trust in the fruitfulness and vitalizing power of his saving word.
The biblical scholar Eugene Maly comments: “Chapters 40 to 55 of the book of Isaiah (our reading is taken from this last chapter) are referred to as the work of Second Isaiah, because his oracles are preserved with those of the historical Isaiah. This anonymous prophet wrote during the Babylonian exile (587-538 B.C.). His words speak of comfort and hope to refugees in a strange land. He was convinced that what he wrote, God’s words, would achieve their goal. In the beginning of his work, in chapter 40, we see how often he mentions or suggests the presence of the word: “… says your God … a voice cries out … the mouth of the Lord has spoken … a voice says … cry out at the top of your voice …” The words are all words of encouragement, of good news, of freedom from exile. Now, at the end of his book, in our reading, he reminds his readers that these words of God will be fulfilled.”
In the context of the yearning of the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and their longing for freedom that was as intense as a parched land, the word of God promising their return to Judah and the city of Jerusalem has a vitalizing power and tremendous efficacy that could be compared to the rain and snow watering the earth: “So shall my word be …” (Is 55:10b) The prophet’s poetic image of the rain and snow making the earth fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the sower and bread to the hungry affirms the benevolence of God and the divine saving plan that efficaciously unfolds.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Mt 13:1-23), the impressive image of the fruitful seed that yields a hundredfold underlines the mighty power of the divine saving plan and the fruitfulness of the word of God who wills to save us. The Word of God, prefigured in the “seed” sown liberally by the sower, is Jesus Christ whose favorable saving action on our behalf is total, sacrificial and efficacious. The fruitfulness of the seed of the Word, however, involves not only the graciousness of the divine initiative but also the receptivity and personal response of the recipient.
The authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 4, explicate: “The word attests to God’s faithfulness, long patience, and assiduous labor for the unfolding of salvation offered to all humankind. This word comes from God, who created human beings free, and who made with them a covenant of love. Efficacious, indescribably fecund, this word demands from human beings a willing response made of openness, conversion, and ever- renewed trust in him who speaks it. And this, in spite of appearances of failure, of trials besetting missionaries and all other believers, tempting them to lose trust and be discouraged … We must then reread, study, and ponder the parable of the seed and the sower. Yes, it is true, part of the seed is lost because the sower throws it by the handful to the four winds so that every nook and cranny may receive its share. And it is a fact that, thanks to the generous manner in which it is sown, we see the extraordinary fecundity of a single seed encountering a bit of good soil; it gives fruit a hundred or sixty or thirty fold. Are these different yields due to chance or luck? Absolutely not, for it is in the human heart that the word is sown. Stones and thorns allude to the hardness of heart and the cares of the world that encumbers it. If the seed remains on the surface, abandoned by the appetite of the birds of the sky, it is because we do not let it enter our beings. Therefore, if the word is not fruitful, it is due to the listeners’ poor disposition. The urgent appeal to each one’s responsibility must be welcomed with immense hope.”
In the second reading (Rom 8:18-23), St. Paul reinforces the reality of the efficacious power of God’s saving plan and his fruitful benevolence. As the entire creation awaits the revelation of the children of God, the “first fruits of the Spirit” have been given to us as a foretaste of the eventual, complete renewal in Jesus Christ at the end time. The present moment is one of giving birth – certainly painful, but assured of its happy end. Indeed, in the life and mission of St. Paul, we realize that the fruitfulness of our life in Christ has a sure hope and that the present is pregnant with the glory that is to come.
The following humorous experience illustrates how the word of God is present, alive and active in our life and reminds us that openness to the divine grace should be our basic stance (cf. Rosanne McDowell in “Everyday Miracles”, COUNTRY WOMAN, June/July 2008, p. 57).
Some years ago, I was brushing my teeth and discovered a cavity in my wisdom tooth. In those days, my menus included more peanut butter than steak, so my budget simply had not room for a trip to the dentist. I trusted the Lord would help, but hoped He’d do it before my tooth became an emergency. Wistfully, I opened my Bible and read a passage at random. It was Palm 81:10: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Thanks to an unexpected gift, I was soon able to visit the dentist. That experience taught me that God not only meets our needs, He does it with a sense of humor!
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
What are the feelings and insights evoked in you by the rain and snow watering the earth to make it fruitful? Do you trust in the providence of God and the efficacy of his saving plan?
Do we appreciate the action of the generous sower and the efficacious power and tremendous fruitfulness of the seed of the Word of God falling on the “good soil”? What is your personal response to the Word of God sown in your heart?
Do you look to St. Paul as a model of true receptivity to the seed of God’s word? Like St. Paul, do you respond positively to the “first fruits of the Spirit” and recognize that the present moment is pregnant with the glory of God?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Loving Father,
we thank you for the life-giving rain and snow that water the earth,
which is a symbol of your benevolence
and the efficacious power of your Word.
In sending us your Son Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word,
you have watered the created world with life and love
that it may be fruitful.
Enable us to be receptive to your Word
and make our hearts a “good soil”
that will allow the seed of the Word to be bountiful.
Grant that like St. Paul
we may gather the “first fruits of the Spirit” with joy
and allow them to transform our lives in Jesus Christ,
the divine Sower and the Seed of the Word of God sown.
We adore you and love;
we thank you and serve you,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“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 … so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth.” (Is 55:10)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
ACTION PLAN: Meditate on the efficacious power of God and the resolute character of the divine will. Pray for the apostolate of Christian preachers that they may sow the seed of the Word of God effectively and bring about a harvest of goodness and conversion. By your deep spirituality and sense of mission, especially to the poor and the needy, allow the seed of the Word of God to bear abundant fruits.
ACTION PLAN: To help us experience more deeply the power and bounty of Jesus the Sower and the Seed of the Word of God, make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 4, n. 33): A Weekly Pastoral Tool.
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US