The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/073118.cfm) reminds
me that God will reward his faithful followers in his perfect time.
Life
is not a bed of roses. Life is unfair. In the gospel we saw that
the good seeds were mixed with the weeds, pretty much like life here on earth.
Even if we try to live righteous lives, we will still be surrounded by
evil people - who would try to convince us to give up living righteous
lives and be like them. Sometimes the situation doesn't help. We see
them prosper and have a good life on earth. We may question why they seem to be
blessed, or if what we are doing is really the way to go. We may question if it
really is worth it. Well, we should not.
God
is not the ruler of the world.
The
devil is - that is why many times, Jesus told his disciples to live in the
world but not of the world. Naturally, the enemy loves his own, so he gives
worldly things those who follow him. However, that’s all it is. Worldly.
Nothing further. Nothing after. Even though the devil rules this world, God
still provides and protects us, so we should just continue to remain faithful
to Him.
God’s
followers will shine like the Sun.
Life
is not easy, but we should continue to hang on to God and his word, knowing
that he is true to his word. No matter how difficult or challenging life may
be, he will still protect us and make sure we have everything we need to move
forward. As we remain faithful to God, we are sure that when the proper time
comes, we will shine bright like the sun. We just need to be faithful, for
God controls eternity.
Do
I follow God at all times? Am I faithful to God? Or do I sin and falter,
especially when I am influenced by the world? Do ai really believe God is all
powerful , and he has great plans for me? How can. Be faithful to God and not
be blinded by the world?
May
we always remember how powerful and loving God is, and may it lead us to be
faithful and expect reward from Him in his perfect time.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
thank you for the reminder. Thank you for knowing me. Thank you for speaking to
me through different ways. Lord, sorry for not always being faithful. Sorry for
choking and for being distracted by the world. Lord, as I live my life, may I
always be reminded to focus on you, to remain faithful to you. It may not be
easy, it may be tempting to do otherwise, but I know that no matter what I
experience, you are always there watching, guiding and protecting me. And I
know that as i remain faithful to you, I will shine bright with you in your
kingdom in your perfect time. Amen
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
July 31, 2018
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of
Loyola, Priest
Lectionary: 402
Lectionary: 402
Reading 1
Let
my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.
Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name's sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.
Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name's sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.
Responsorial Psalm PS 79:8, 9,
11 AND 13
R.
(9) For the glory of your name, O
Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live for ever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live for ever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT
13:36-43
Jesus
dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.
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