July 24, 2020 Friday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time-A
Jeremiah 3:14-17
Psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13
Matthew 13:18-23
“But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit…” Mt. 13:23
Lord, to produce an abundant crop gardens require a lot of work. The soil must be tilled, nourished, watered and the seeds carefully planted. Weeds must be removed and adequate sunshine and fertilizer provided for the plants to grow. You make the point that our spiritual lives require constant care throughout our lives to grow, mature and produce good fruit. The seed of your word is all important. Without good seed nothing will germinate. Lord, can you be the seed for me? Help me to know the will of God and to know the mind of God. I want to understand His purpose in creating me and giving me the gifts and opportunities that I experience each day. May your body and blood nourish me to persevere in growing in faith. Thank you for the sacraments of your church to heal me and provide grace to strengthen me when temptation or persecution arises. Do not let me stray from the path to your Kingdom. Walk with me every day as my guide and brother. Thank you for the good soil of my heart to receive your word so that I can bear fruit “and yield a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Amen.