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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost • Year A
July 12, 2026 • Proper 10
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Historical Collect
Richly inspire us, O Lord, to consider and accomplish what you see is good. For we know that we cannot live without you, but that with you, we shall prevail. And so, we pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Leonine Sacramentary, 6th Century)
Thematic Collect
Heavenly Father, scatter the seed of your word in our hearts. Grant that it may be received in joy, sprout and bear the fruits of your mercy as we grow in faith, hope, and love. Then send us into your world to scatter the seeds of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
The gospel seed is to be sown over the entire world. Even as the rain and snow that God sends down from the heavens brings forth fruit from the ground, sowers may trust God for the increase. It is through the Spirit, not our skill at sowing, that gospel seed takes root, and to mix metaphors, that people are adopted into the family of God. So it is with God’s word; it will surely accomplish God’s purposes. Heaven will be overflowing with souls.
First Reading • Isaiah 55:10-13
We want to accomplish the thing. At very least, we think we must do something in order for there to be success. What we should do, is listen to the prophet. It is God’s word that gives success, if that is what to call it—perhaps, “purpose” is a better word. God accomplishes his will just as surely, just as purposefully, as the rains and snows deliver seed and bread. The problem is that we do not know God’s will; we confuse his with our own desires. We want something to happen and so, we work hard, and usually see nothing happen that looks like the success we wanted. Why do we pray, “Thy will be done,” when it is our will we are expecting? May his word go forth from our mouths and may we be content that God answers prayer.
Psalm • Psalm 65:1-8, 9-13
Imagine you have harvested a field and loaded a great mound of produce in the truck. As you drive away, a good deal of the harvest bounces out. The wheel ruts in the road fill with the spillage (Psa 65:11). Your truck cannot contain the harvest because God waters the earth and gives the increase (1 Cor 3:7). “The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear” (Mark 4:28). Even the pastures are so filled that they seemed dressed in flocks. Everything overflows with God’s goodness.
Second Reading • Romans 8:12-17
Here the parable of the sower is seen in effect. If we live according to the flesh, in which there is no root, we will fall away, joyless. But those who receive of the Spirit of God, are birthed as children of God. No doubt, this will mean suffering (Rom 8:17b) and even death in the flesh. No seed is ever reborn unless it first dies (1 Cor 15:36).
Gospel • Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Note how undiscriminating the sower is, scattering seed everywhere. The sower’s task is to sow and trust God for the increase. Who knows what sort of “ground” we may walk upon in the course of a day, or even that sits in church pews? Our job remains the same: sow! The Spirit takes care for the ground.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
