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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
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Gospel text (Mt 13:18-23): "... 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.”

Faith without works is a “dead” faith

EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)

Today the “Parable of the Sower” is like a warning that shall not be forgotten and a perennial invitation to respond with the fruits to love; the same fruits with which He looks after us. Faith enables us to recognize the Christ in others and His own Love compels us to transform the received Word in a surrendered life.

Faith without charity does not bear fruits and charity without faith would constantly be a doubtful feeling. Faith and love need each other so that one allows the other to go on its way. With strong words – which always relate to Christians – James, the Apostle, says: “So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead… Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.” (James 2.17-18)

- Sustained by faith, we look with hope to our commitment in the world, waiting for new heavens and a new land in which righteousness dwells.