Archive for July 19, 2014

July 20th 2014 – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted: July 19, 2014 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn 

 

Of Wheat and Weeds

Readings:
Wisdom 12:13,16-19
Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Romans 8:26-27
Matthew 13:24-43

 

God is always teaching His people, we hear in today’s First Reading.

And what does He want us to know? That He has care for all of us, that though He is a God of justice, even those who defy and disbelieve Him may hope for His mercy if they turn to Him in repentance.

This divine teaching continues in the three parables that Jesus tells in the Gospel today. Each describes the emergence of the kingdom of God from the seeds sown by His works and preaching. The kingdom’s growth is hidden – like the working of yeast in bread; it’s improbable, unexpected—as in the way the tall mustard tree grows from the smallest of seeds.

Again this week’s readings sound a note of questioning: Why does God permit the evil to grow alongside the good? Why does He permit some to reject the Word of His kingdom?

Because, as we sing in today’s Psalm, God is slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He is just, Jesus assures us – evildoers and those who cause others to sin will be thrown into the fiery furnace at the end of the age. But by His patience, God is teaching us—that above all He desires repentance, and the gathering of all nations to worship Him and to glorify His name.

Even though we don’t know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit will intercede for us, Paul promises in today’s Epistle. But first we must turn and call upon Him, we must commit ourselves to letting the good seed of His Word bear fruit in our lives.

So we should not be deceived or lose heart when we see weeds among the wheat, truth and holiness mixed with error, injustice and sin.

For now, He makes His sun rise on the good and the bad (see Matthew 5:45). But the harvest draws near. Let’s work that we might be numbered among the righteous children—who will shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: July 19, 2014 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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On our own we are a flawed race often looking for an easy way out. It is far easier to hate than to love, far easier to take revenge than to forgive. It is far easier to steal than to work for what we want, far easier to give in to immoral desires than to remain chaste. And so it is far easier to die than to live; for by our choices we face eternal death.

Who knows us better than our loving Father in heaven? Why does He love us so much? Why does He love us still?

Jesus our Lord was sent to us to save us. That we would know that we are not alone. We do not need to go through life alone and afraid, for He is with us. And He gives us all that we will ever need to be with Him forever. He is the Truth, the way to eternal life. And all we need to do is turn our hearts to Him and follow Him. Amen

FIRST READING
Micah 2:1–5

GOSPEL
Matthew 12:14–21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.