Reflection for July 12 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. 

Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

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Reflection:

Do we give time to listen to Jesus?

Whenever Jesus speaks, everyone listens because everything He says is filled with wisdom. Who would not want to listen to someone who imparts true wisdom? We all long to hear words that bring hope, truth, peace, and life. No one can speak to our hearts as Jesus does, for His words are not only wise—they have the power to transform our lives.

But how can we listen to Jesus in these smartphone- and social media-dominated times, when countless voices compete for our attention every day? First, we listen to Him by reading and reflecting on His life and teachings in the Bible. Many of us no longer make time to open God's Word, even for a few quiet moments.

Yet we often find time for many worldly pursuits that may entertain us for a while but rarely bring lasting peace. When we allow God's Word to dwell in our hearts, we discover that His voice gently guides us, strengthens us, and reminds us that we are never alone.

Second, we listen to Jesus through our prayerful and attentive participation at Holy Mass. Because of the many distractions we create for ourselves, it can be difficult to set aside time for this holy and sacred celebration.

Yet whenever we choose to place the Lord first, He never allows our sacrifices to go unnoticed. At every Mass, Jesus nourishes us with His Word and gives Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist, filling us with the grace, strength, and peace that only He can give.

Third, we listen to Jesus by spending time with Him in the Adoration Chapel. There, in the quietness of His presence, we do not need many words. We simply remain with Him, allowing Him to speak to the depths of our hearts.

If we can spend hours each day using our smartphones or scrolling through social media, can we not also set aside even a few moments to be with the Lord? The time we give to Jesus is never wasted. Every moment spent in His presence draws us closer to Him and transforms us little by little into the people He calls us to be.

If only we would make the Lord our highest priority, we would become like the seed that fell on rich soil and produced a harvest—some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. The more we listen to Jesus, the more our hearts are changed.

The more we remain with Him, the more we learn to love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, and serve as He serves. His voice quiets our fears, renews our hope, and leads us along the path that brings true joy and everlasting life.

Today, Jesus continues to speak. The question is not whether He is calling us, but whether we are willing to pause, listen, and respond. Amid the busyness and noise of our daily lives, will we choose His voice over the countless distractions that surround us? Will we make time for the One who gave everything for us, so that our hearts may be transformed and our lives may bear abundant fruit for His glory?

Do we truly give time to listen to the Lord?—Marino J. Dasmarinas