Jesus is the Word of God. He carries out the task God gives him and bears fruit in those who hear and understand what he says.

The disciples of Jesus are simple folks to whom the Father reveals what he hides from the wise. No wonder, then, that they are granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. To know so is theirs, yes, since Jesus grants them to hear and understand what he teaches.

St. Vincent, of course, agrees that to know, hear and understand belongs to simple folks. After all, experience has convinced the saint that it is among them, among the poor, that we find true religion. “They believe, they touch, they taste the words of life” (SV.EN XII:142).

And these words of life bear fruit in these poor folks who strive to hear and understand. No, they do not fail to yield in those who are poor a good harvest of patience, frankness, sincerity, generosity. These poor folks know, yes, how to stay at peace in painful and tough times. And what they say comes from the heart.  Besides, they wear themselves out to feed others, so that the latter do live on the sweat of the former (SV.EN XI:191). 

Lord Jesus, by his grace, the Father grants us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.  And by your initiative, you make us hear and understand your words. Thank you that you do not sow sparingly. For, in fact, you sow abundantly. Grant that your lavish love calls love in return, so that we turn into worthy soil. That is, that we accept, with anticipation and groaning within ourselves, what you say. And grant us to be willing even to give up our bodies and shed our blood to live your words of life.

12 July 2026
15th Sunday in O.T. (A)
Is 55, 10-11; Rom 8, 18-23; Mt 13, 1-23