(Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23)

Last week, along with some other parishioners, I was on pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. We were blessed to be able to celebrate Mass in some special places. We had very good guides and were able to learn more about these two special places and the saints who gave their life for Jesus; sowing the seeds of martyrdom to encourage others to get to know Jesus and build up the Church. I said at one of the Masses last week, that the fruits of their martyrdom were visible to us everywhere we went; not in the basilicas and churches but in the people from all over the world with their different languages and customs; we are the fruit of their sacrifice.

Today, in one of the best-known parables, Jesus speaks about the Sower, who sows seed. He explains that this seed is the Word of God and describes the different circumstances and obstacles for people who hear the Word of God. I think many of us can relate to the seed sown among thorns. There are two main obstacles here, one is the ‘cares of the world’ the other the ‘deceitfulness of riches.’

In the parable these two conditions result in no fruit to harvest, however, I would suggest, that these two conditions give us opportunities to change if we allow the Creator and Sower to work in us and co-operate with Him. If we turn to the ‘cares of the world’ first, there are times when we allow the worries of the world to dominate our thoughts so much that they can become overwhelming. These are the times when we need to trust in God and go to Him in prayer. Jesus instructed us “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” [John 14:27]. And “if you ask anything of the Father in my name he will give it to you.” [John 16:23-24]. When we share our burdens with Jesus or ask for His help He will respond. We may not fully understand the response, but Jesus has told us to ask.

The other condition is the riches of the world, which choke the word. Riches does not always mean money or wealth. These ‘riches’ are the things which take us away from God. Our distractions, the things we do which leave us trying to fit God into our day. Anyone with a garden or who walks next to grassed areas will recognise at this time of the year how dominant some of the thorns and nettles can become, if they are not pruned or cut away.

What are the ‘thorns and nettles’ in our life, which we need to cut back on, to allow God to be the centre of our life?

What action do we need to take in our life to change the thorny soil in our life to become fertile soil?

At the end of last year, I stopped using social media as I found it literally drained hours from my day. Whilst on pilgrimage, I switched it on again to get access to some pictures from the pilgrimage, which had been shared on Facebook. As a result, I now find that I am wasting time on it again. So, it’s time for me to ‘weed’ it out of my life again. As we know if we do not nourish and tend fertile soil, the weeds come back again even more quickly. My replacement for social media has been an online bible which shows a percentage of how much of the bible I have read. I find this a far more productive use of my time; which I hope will bear fruit.

The parable of the Sower was given from a boat, with the listeners standing on a beach. Jesus called his first disciples to become fishers of men.

This weekend the Church celebrates, and fund raises for the Apostleship of the Sea, known in some places as Stella Maris. This organisation does tremendous work in ports all around the world supporting sea farers who are often away from their families for months and sometimes years at a time.

Some of these seafarers are exploited by unscrupulous employers, Stella Maris advocate for these workers and provide supplies and spiritual support for them. As an island nation we are dependent on seafarers to get many of the things we take for granted, to our country. The recent conflict in the Middle East with the disruption to shipping routes has emphasised the danger many of these workers face; just to put bread on their table and to get goods into our shops. Please, if you can, support the collection in your parish this Sunday.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 299, 381: man created in the image of God; the first-born
CCC 1931-1933: viewing neighbour as another self
CCC 2447: corporal works of mercy
CCC 1465: the priest as Good Samaritan in the sacrament of Penance
CCC 203, 291, 331, 703: the Word and creation, visible and invisible[1]

Please accompany in your prayers

  • All those who are sick, either at home or in hospital, especially those who have very few or no visitors.
  • Those who have died and those who grieve for them.
  • The success of the Pastoral Area Mission Plan.
  • Those struggling with addiction.
  • All those who work on the sea.
  • For those parents who begin their Baptism Preparation sessions this weekend.

Deacon Tony

11th July 2026

[1] Homiletic Directory, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments