Weed

The WORD today reminds me that God is always in control. 

In life, there are a lot if 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 that was planted with good seed. However, when the farmer saw it, he did not have it immediately cut out, even if he knew it was from the enemy. 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.

This is very apt for the situation we are currently in. It sometimes makes me sad and frustrated to watch and read news. We have seemingly inconsiderate and incompetent public servants. However, they still have their way. They are still in power and can do pretty much everything. Makes me so frustrated that it seems like we cannot do anything. This is a good reminder. Probably it is like when the weeds were growing and affecting the plants. The farmer seems to lose control. But he is not. The same that God is not losing control over this pandemic. God is not losing control over the Philippines. He knows what is happening. He has a plan. And while it is scary and frustrating, we should just continue to trust in him and have faith. Faith and trust while we wait for his perfect plans to come to fruition. 

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? What is he reminding me today? 

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 Sunday. 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 Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

July 19, 2020

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time; Blessed Peter ToRot

FIRST READING

Wisdom 12:13, 16–19v

There is no god besides you who have the care of all, that you need show you have not unjustly condemned. For your might is the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved; and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity. But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 86:5–6, 9–10, 15–16 (5a)

R. Lord, you are good and forgiving. 

You, O LORD, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you. Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading. 

R. Lord, you are good and forgiving. 

All the nations you have made shall come and worship you, O LORD, and glorify your name. For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds; you alone are God. 

R. Lord, you are good and forgiving. 

You, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity. Turn toward me, and have pity on me; give your strength to your servant. 

R. Lord, you are good and forgiving.

SECOND READING

Romans 8:26–27

Brothers and sisters:

The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.

ALLELUIA

see Matthew 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Longer Form Matthew 13:24–43

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “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.”’” 

He proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’”

He spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” 

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world. 

Then, dismissing the crowds, he 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.” 

or: 

Shorter Form Matthew 13:24–30

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “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.”’”