In
life, there are a lot of situations that catch us off guard. No matter how well
and how intensive and exhaustive you plan and prepare, there are still
surprises that can happen. Scenarios you did not think of. And during these
times, reactions of people vary. We usually cannot think normally when these
things happen. Good thing this does not happen to God.
In
the gospel, we see the enemy planting weeds in the farmer’s field, a field that
was planted with good seed. However, when the farmer saw it, he did not had it
immediately cut out, even if he knew it was from the enemy. He did not panic.
Instead, he gave time for the weed and the wheat to grow, then when the time
was right, he separated them from each other and burned the weed.
What
a way to remind us that God is always in control.
God
does not panic. When he saw the weeds, he knew it was the enemy’s work.
However, he knew pulling them out at once might affect those wheat who are
still growing their roots. It may look like he was not in control because the
enemy was able to plant weeds which grew. For that instance, probably doesn’t
look like it. However, we see that in the end, he was in full control, and he burned
the weeds and the wheat were able to grow fully.
God
is in control of our lives. Sometimes we may not feel like it. Sometimes we may
only see the weeds. Sometimes we fail to focus on the growing wheat and only
see the annoying weed and say that God is not in control. We may see evil
people prospering, we may see them being rich and powerful. We sometimes focus
on them, and fail to see God slowly working in people who are developing their
roots, on people ready and willing to bear fruit for him. He gives us time to
develop and serve him. however, when the time comes, he will come and separate
the weed from the productive wheat. That is what we should look forward to.
Do
I know that God is in control of my life and of everything? Do I focus on the
enemy and the seemingly powerful weeds in my life and in the world? Am I afraid
of them,? Do I lose faith on God? Am I willing to wait until I grow in faith
and produce fruits for him? Am I excited when he comes to separate the weeds
from the wheat?
May
we always remember that no matter what the situation is, God is always in
control.
Father
God,
Thank
you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another
weekend. Thank you for reminding me that you are in control, even if sometimes,
it does not look like it. Lord, sorry for not always thinking this. Sorry if I
doubt you, your love, and your power. Sorry for being easily overwhelmed. I ask
that I always trust in you and that I always focus on you, even if there are
seemingly powerful and annoying weeds around me. May I trust that you are
allowing us to grow roots and enable us to withstand the weeds in our lives.
Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
July 27 2019
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 400
Lectionary: 400
Reading
1 EX 24:3-8
When
Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the children of Israel
to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the children of Israel
to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
Responsorial
Psalm PS
50:1B-2, 5-6, 14-15
R.(14a) Offer to God a sacrifice of
praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me."
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me."
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
Alleluia JAS
1:21BC
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus
proposed a parable to the crowds.
"The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man
who sowed good seed in his field.
While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The slaves of the householder came to him and said,
'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?'
He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
"The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man
who sowed good seed in his field.
While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The slaves of the householder came to him and said,
'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?'
He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
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