Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10: God appoints Jeremiah as a prophet before his birth. Jeremiah feels inadequate, but God assures him and places His words in Jeremiah’s mouth. He is chosen to root up, tear down, destroy, build, and plant.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 71: I seek refuge in the Lord, my rock and fortress. He is my hope and strength from birth. I declare His justice and salvation daily.
• Gospel – Matthew 13:1-9: Jesus taught the crowd with a parable about a sower whose seeds fell on various grounds, yielding different results. Some seeds were eaten by birds, some withered, some choked by thorns, and some produced abundant fruit on good soil.

Lectionary Reference: 397

Upcoming dates: July 26, 2028, July 24, 2030, July 21, 2032

And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.”

Matthew 13:3

On Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we reflect on God’s call and how we respond to it. The readings from Jeremiah and Matthew guide us in understanding our roles and how we can bear fruit in our lives.

• God’s Call: God chose Jeremiah before he was born and called him to be a prophet. This shows that God has a purpose for each of us.
• Feeling Inadequate: Jeremiah felt he was not capable, but God assured him. This tells us that God supports us even when we feel weak.
• God’s Assurance: God promised to be with Jeremiah and to give him the words to speak. This means we can trust God to help us in our tasks.
• Sowing the Word: In the parable, the sower represents those who spread God’s word. We are called to share the message of God with others.
• Different Responses: The seeds fell on different grounds, representing how people receive God’s word. Some accept it and bear fruit, while others do not.
• Bearing Fruit: The good soil produced a rich harvest. When we accept God’s word fully, our lives can produce good works and blessings.

On Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we learn about responding to God’s call and sharing His word. Let us aim to be like the good soil, receiving His message and bearing much fruit in our lives.

On Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we explore themes of God’s call, our responses, and the fruitfulness of our lives. These readings help us understand how we can align ourselves with God’s will and bear good fruit.

God’s Call to Jeremiah

God called Jeremiah before he was born, showing that He has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah felt unsure of his abilities, but God reassured him, saying He would provide the words and strength needed. This teaches us that God equips us for the tasks He sets before us.

We often feel inadequate when faced with God’s call. Like Jeremiah, we may think we are too young, unprepared, or unworthy. But God does not call the equipped; He equips the called.

God’s assurance to Jeremiah is a promise to all of us. He will be with us, guiding and supporting us in our mission. Trusting in God’s presence and help, we can respond to His call with confidence and courage.

The Parable of the Sower

Jesus’ parable of the sower illustrates different responses to God’s word. The seeds represent God’s message, and the different soils symbolize our hearts and how we receive His word. Some seeds do not grow because the soil is not ready.

Our hearts can be like the different types of soil in the parable. Sometimes we are like the path, where the word is quickly taken away. Other times we are like rocky ground, where the word starts to grow but withers without deep roots.

The good soil represents a heart open and ready to receive God’s word. When we nurture this openness, we allow God’s word to take root and grow. This leads to a fruitful life, full of good works and blessings.

Bearing Fruit in Our Lives

The parable in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 also shows the importance of bearing fruit. The seeds that fell on good soil produced a rich harvest. This symbolizes the positive impact we can have when we fully accept God’s word and live according to it.

Bearing fruit means living out our faith in concrete ways. It involves acts of love, kindness, and service to others. When we do this, we reflect God’s love and spread His message.

We are called to be like the good soil, ready to receive and act on God’s word. By doing so, we contribute to God’s kingdom and experience the joy of a fruitful life. Let us strive to cultivate our hearts and lives to be receptive and productive.

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On Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we reflect on God’s call, our responses, and the fruits of our lives. By trusting in God’s guidance and opening our hearts to His word, we can fulfill our mission and bear much fruit. Let us seek to be good soil, ready and willing to grow in faith and love.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be open to Your call and trust in Your guidance. Make our hearts like good soil, ready to receive Your word and bear fruit. May our lives reflect Your love and bring blessings to others. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How do you respond when you feel God is calling you to a task? Do you trust Him to guide and equip you?
• In what ways can you prepare your heart to be like the good soil in the parable of the sower?
• Have there been times when you felt like the rocky or thorny soil, where God’s word struggled to grow in your life? How did you address it?
• What fruit are you currently bearing in your life? How can you nurture your faith to grow even more?

USCCB Reflection: Cultivating Rich Soil

In the reflection for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we explore the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. The seed represents God’s word, and the different types of soil symbolize our hearts and how we receive it.

To bear abundant fruit, we must prepare our hearts to be rich, receptive soil. This involves regularly turning to God’s word, silent reflection, and seeking healing through the sacraments. By cultivating faith, trust, and confidence in God, we allow His word to grow and manifest His love in the world.

What date is Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Wednesday July 26, 2028.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Wednesday July 26, 2028 are:
First Reading – Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10: Jeremiah’s Calling
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 71: Taking Refuge in God’s Salvation
Gospel – Matthew 13:1-9: The Parable of the Sower

What is the main message of the first reading from Jeremiah in the first reading for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The main message is that God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet before he was born. God assures Jeremiah that He will help him and give him the words to speak.

Why did Jeremiah feel inadequate in the first reading for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jeremiah felt inadequate because he thought he was too young and did not know how to speak well. God reassured him that He would be with him and give him the words to say.

What does it mean when God says He will put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth?

It means that God will guide Jeremiah in what to say. Jeremiah will speak God’s messages to the people, not his own words.

What should we do if we feel inadequate like Jeremiah?

If we feel inadequate, we should remember that God is with us and will help us. We should trust in His guidance and believe that He equips us for the tasks He gives us.

What is the parable of the sower about in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The parable of the sower is about how different people receive God’s word. The seeds represent God’s word, and the different types of soil represent people’s hearts and how they respond.

What do the different types of soil in the parable represent in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The different types of soil represent different responses to God’s word. Some people do not understand it, some accept it but fall away quickly, and some let worries choke it. But some people accept it fully and produce good fruit.

How can we be like the good soil in the parable?

We can be like the good soil by being open to God’s word, understanding it, and living according to it. This means letting God’s word guide our actions and decisions.

Why is it important to bear fruit in our lives?

Bearing fruit means doing good works and living out our faith. It shows that we truly understand and accept God’s word. Our good actions can help others and spread God’s love.

How does the first reading relate to the Gospel for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Both readings focus on responding to God’s call and His word. Jeremiah’s call shows God’s support in our mission, while the parable shows how different responses to God’s word lead to different outcomes.

How can we apply the readings for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 to our lives?

We can apply these readings by trusting in God’s call and guidance, being open to His word, and striving to bear good fruit through our actions. We should aim to be like the good soil, ready to receive and live out God’s message.