Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Samson of Dol, Bishop & Abbot (circa 485-565, A.K.A. of York; also spelt Sampson, Samsun): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Venerable Stanley Rother, Priest & Martyr (1935-1981), martyred by a Guatemalan death squad: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Ven. Stanley is scheduled to be beatified on 23 September 2017.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty-four, verses three thru eight;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter thirteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-three.
Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus explains the parable of the sower. Let's study each part of his explanation.
The seed sown on the path is "the one who hears the word without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown." This means we might end up blocked from God because we lack education in the ways of the Spirit.
The seed sown on rocky ground is "the one who receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time." When difficulties and persecutions arrive, he loses confidence.
"The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit." Some people hear the word, but then they are unable to maintain their focus and sense of prioritization.
So from these sad cases we can construe the nature of good soil. When we understand the faith, when we take the time to read theology, to study the Scripture; when we persevere, discipline ourselves, and practice the faith; when we have our priorities straight, then the seed will take root in us. And it will bear fruit thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.
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