The gospel For Friday, the 16th week in ordinary time is taken from Matthew 13, 18:23. Jesus said to his disciples, hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it. And the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on the rocky ground is the one who hears the Word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time.

When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the Word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word. But then worldly anxiety is the one. And the lure of riches choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that he understands human nature.

There’s a force in the world that we have to be careful of called evil. There is a need for a commitment. There is a need for being able to endure things that are difficult in the process of growing and understanding. But when it comes down to what makes the rich soil, it is basically a decision. This is something I want, something I need, something I want to believe in. And that’s so important.

It’s not so much that we understand it initially, but we want what it promises more than we want anything else. It’s about a commitment to the promise. Closing Prayer Father, confusion is always going to be there. Temptation is always going to be there. Help us always to be steadfast in our desire for truth. We will never be disappointed.

He will always answer that prayer. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.