Good Soil

The WORD today reminds me that I should prepare my heart to be a good soil for God’s seeds. 

God created everything and he is all powerful. He has power over the weather and the circumstances in life. He allows things to happen, and prevents things from happening to protect his people. However, there is only one thing he does not have control over – our free will. God loves us so much that he gave us free will to decide what we want to do, how we want to live, what we want to happen.

You decide if you will accept God or not. 

In the gospel, we see that the sower went out to sow. He put out the same seeds to different kinds of soil. It was the same sower, and the same kind of seed. What was different was the kind of soil that received the seeds. This produced different results on the seed. The readiness and receptiveness of the soil determines what will happen to the seeds. 

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.

In the first reading, we see God calling us back. No matter how much we sin and hurt him, he is calling us back to him. Not only that, he will send us shepherds to guide us to remain faithful to Him. This is one thing we need to do to prepare our hearts to receive God. This is what we should do so our hearts would become good soils, that would accept God and produce fruits for Him. 

We all have the same bible. We all have the same God. We all experience the great, unconditional and forgiving love of God through Jesus. However, we receive it differently. Some chose to prioritize worldly riches over spiritual ones, some allow stress and problems overwhelm us and take the focus away from God, some allow the devil to take away what God gave us, while some keep everything in their hearts and lives and allow God’s seeds of love to bear fruit in their lives. 

In the world we are living in, everyone is affected. The pandemic is affects everyone. And God’s call is for everyone. His blessings are there. Opportunities to help are there. We just need to make the decision - to be a good soil or not. We all have worries and concerns. We may fear. But we are all given the opportunity to be a good soil for God. 

What kind of soil am I? How do I receive God’s word? How do I treat it? How do I respond? What can I do to make my heart a good soil for God? How can I produce blessings and fruits for God? How can I be a good soil, especially in this time of pandemic? 

May we be challenged and inspired by the fact that God gave us all his love, his word, his blessings and protection. May we prepare our hearts to receive him and allow him to bear fruit through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings you have been continuously giving me. Sorry for the times I let the world or the devil take your word away from my heart. Sorry for the times I worry too much or focus too much on worldly things that I keep you in the background. Sorry for not preparing my heart to be a good soil for you.   Help me prepare my heart to receive you Lord. Help me be good soil, that your word in my life may take effect. May I be able to absorb it, give it its due importance, and allow you to bear fruit through me. Use me to bear fruits for your kingdom and for your glory. Amen

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

July 24, 2020

Friday of Week 16; St. Sharbel Makhlouf

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 3:14-17

Return, rebellious children, says the LORD, for I am your Master; I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. When you multiply and become fruitful in the land, says the LORD, They will in those days no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the LORD!” They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another. 

At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD’s throne; there all nations will be gathered together to honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem, and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13 

R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. 

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock. 

R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. 

The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings: The grain, the wine, and the oil, the sheep and the oxen. 

R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. 

Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. 

R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

ALLELUIA

See Luke 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Gross Heart

The WORD today reminds me that I should always check the state of my heart. 

When we are expecting visitors, we almost always clean the house prior to their arrival. Yes, we still clean the house on a normal day. But cleaning is different when we are expecting visitors, especially important ones. We make extra effort to have the house the best way possible. We bring out special plates, utensils and things that we don’t use on a regular day. In as much as we do this much preparation for special guests, we should also do the same with our hearts.

The state of our heart affects the intensity and effectiveness of God’s presence in our lives.

In the gospel, we see that the people did not understand what Jesus was saying because of the state of their hearts. They hear what Jesus says, and sees his actions. But they do not understand because of their hearts. We see this a lot in the gospels. Jesus heal and preach to people, but not all are ready and willing to accept him. Same acts, same message, same person delivering the message, different effects – because of different states of their hearts.

We should check our hearts. We might be so busy and so caught up in the world that we do not have time to check our hearts. We may not realize it, but our hearts may not be fit anymore to hear and receive God. He has been talking to us, he has been making his presence alive and real. This effort from him is constant. But if we don’t feel it, then probably something’s wrong. If we are always worried and depressed, then we are definitely not getting God’s promise of peace and abundance. We may not be hearing God’s word. our hearts may not be in a proper disposition to welcome him.

The situation right now may be difficult, to say the least. However, God continues to talk to us. God continues to bless and protects us. And God continues to give instructions and proddings to us. We should always be aware. And we should clean our hearts to make sure we hear him.

How do I feel right now? Am I in the proper disposition to hear God? Am I aware of his voice and his presence in my life? Do I follow him? How can I improve my heart for him? What is he telling me today? 

May we never neglect to check our hearts, and always do our best by constant prayer and making the most out of the sacrament of reconciliation to clean our hearts and ready it to receive God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for being so busy with the world that I don’t remember you. sorry for neglecting the state of my heart that causes me not to hear and feel you. help me do my best to keep it clean, to constantly pray and confess and try to live right so I would always be ready and sensitive to you. amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/07/more-will-be-given.html

July 23, 2020

Thursday of Week 16; St. Bridget of Sweden

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13

This word of the LORD came to me:

Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear! 

I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as a bride, Following me in the desert, in a land unsown. Sacred to the LORD was Israel, the first fruits of his harvest; Should any presume to partake of them, evil would befall them, says the LORD. 

When I brought you into the garden land to eat its goodly fruits, You entered and defiled my land, you made my heritage loathsome. The priests asked not, “Where is the LORD?” Those who dealt with the law knew me not: the shepherds rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after useless idols. 

Be amazed at this, O heavens, and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD. Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; They have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 36:6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11

R. (10a) With you is the fountain of life, O Lord. 

O LORD, your mercy reaches to heaven; your faithfulness, to the clouds. Your justice is like the mountains of God; your judgments, like the mighty deep. 

R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord. 

How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house; from your delightful stream you give them to drink. 

R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord. 

For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light. Keep up your mercy toward your friends, your just defense of the upright of heart. 

R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.

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

Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said,

“Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: 

You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them. 

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Ready

The WORD today reminds me that my readiness to receive God's word affects its effect. 

My wife took subjects on agriculture before we got married, back when we was still based in the province. One interesting fact she shared was that there are different kinds of soil. Not all will be conducive for plants and fruits. I thought any soil can be used to grow trees and flowers. Hindi pala.  It depends on the kind of soil if the seeds will bear fruit. In the gospel today, Jesus uses this in the context of spiritual growth, readiness, and maturity.

The sower went out to sow. He put out the same seeds to the different soil. It was the same sower, and the same kind of seed. What was different was the kind of soil that received the seeds. And the kind of soil that received it had a huge impact on what happened to the seeds. 

The readiness and receptiveness of the soil determines what will happen to the seeds.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.

We all have the same bible. We all have the same God. We all experience the great, unconditional and forgiving love of God through Jesus. However, we receive it differently. Some chose to prioritize worldly riches over spiritual ones, some allow stress and problems overwhelm us and take the focus away from God, some allow the devil to take away what God gave us, while some keep everything in their hearts and lives and allow God’s seeds of love to bear fruit in their lives.

However, I believe there is a little difference with us. The kind of soil was permanent. Nothing could be dome to change it. But not with us. We may be kind of rocky or shallow right now, but we don't need to be there forever. We can change our kind of soil. We can improve. We can make the decision to be better, to exert more effort, to be more ready and receptive. However, it works both ways. Even if we may produce good fruit now, we should not be complacent. We should make the continuous effort and decision to be fruitful.

Now is the perfect time to he fruitful. We may not have a lot, but I believe that we have more than we need to survive. And the pandemic made us realize we do not need a lot. And we see how other people are suffering. We can share what we have to others. There are many ways to share what we have - not just monetary, but also other things such as our time. Our concern. Our talents. Our prayers. We can be fruitful in many ways, we just need to he sensitive and allow God to use us.

How do I receive God? How is my heart right now? Am I ready to receive him? Do I make the effort to prepare my heart for him? Am I happy with the state of my heart and soul? What can I do to improve it? How can I be fruitful for God during this pandemic? 

May we be challenged and inspired by the fact that God gave us all his love, his word, his blessings and protection. May we prepare our hearts to receive him and allow him to bear fruit through us. May we constantly do our best to be productive and always bear good fruit for God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings you have been continuously giving me. Thank you for the reminder and the challenge. Lord, sorry for the times I just go with the flow. Sorry for not taking steps to improve my faith and relationship with you that affect the fruits I produce. Likewise, Sorry for the times I get overconfident and lose the effort to improve my relationship with you. Help me prepare my heart to receive you all the time.  Help me to always be a good soil, that your word in my life may take effect. May I be able to absorb it, give it its due importance, and allow you to bear fruit through me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/07/good-soil.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/07/your-decision.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/07/good-soil.html

July 22, 2020

Wednesday of Week 16; St. Mary Magdalene

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin. 

The word of the LORD came to me thus: 

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah, Lord GOD!” I said, AI know not how to speak; I am too young.” 

But the LORD answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. 

Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, 

See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, To root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 and 17

R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation. 

In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me.

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. 

R. I will sing of your salvation.

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.

GOSPEL

Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Family of God

The WORD today reminds me what I should do to tell God I want to be a part of his family. 

Life is unfair, both in good ways and in bad. Some people are born at an advantage - to a good family, financially abundant, healthy, with all the needed connections, etc. however, others are born at a disadvantage - with sickness, financial problems, etc. This may be the situation in the world, but not in our spiritual life. 

We can all be part of God's family if we want to. 

In the gospel, Jesus said that his mother and his brothers are not just in the worldly sense, but more so in the faith aspect. Jesus considers his mother and brothers, his family, those who do the will of God the Father. This means that even if we are born at a disadvantage in this world, we can still be part of God's family if we want to. If we do God's commandments. 

Doing God's commandments welcomes us in God's family. We are all welcomed. It is just up to us if we really want to be a part of it. When we do God's commandments and live in his ways, then we are telling him we want to be part of his family. We are telling him that we love him. We are telling him that we are willing to surrender and be governed by Him. We are telling him that we subject ourselves in his will and he can do to us what he wants to do. 

Surrendering to God makes it easy for Him to bless us according to his plans and to his will. Opening up ourselves and our lives to him makes it easier for God to give us all he wants to. Doing these things make it easier for us to enjoy the benefits that come with being God's children. 

This is what Moses did in the first reading. Last week we saw his story. He had concerns when God asked him to do things. However, he eventually trusted in God. He eventually surrendered. And we saw how mightily God used him. We saw how he was blessed and was part of God’s family, and blessed him mightily. 

We are all part of God’s family. And especially during this pandemic, we are asked to help each other out. We have more than we need to survive, so we should share to other members of God’s family. This is why he blesses us - so we can share to others and thus remind others of his love and provisions.

How is my life? Do I feel that I am very blessed, or do I feel I am at a disadvantage? What am I doing about the situation? Am I sharing my blessings to others? Am I working hard to improve my situation? Do I want to be part of God’s family? Am I doing what God wants? How can I tell God I want to be part of his family?

We may not be in the best situation in this world, but we can in our spiritual life. May we be willing to surrender to God, do his will, and let him treat us as his children. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another chance to be part of your family. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I let the world dictate how my life would be. Sorry for thinking I cannot do anything about my situation. Sorry for not doing what I can to be part of your family. Lord, help me do my part. I humble myself and allow you to take control. I allow you to use me for your purpose and your glory. I will do my best to always do your will. Because Lord you know that I want to be part of your family. You know I love you. And I will do my best to tell you that and to prove that to you every day. In my own little way, help me to spread your love to other members of your family. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

July 21, 2020

Tuesday of Week 16; St. Lawrence of Brindisi

FIRST READING

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, That dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. 

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (8a) Lord, show us your mercy and love. 

You have favored, O LORD, your land; you have brought back the captives of Jacob. You have forgiven the guilt of your people; you have covered all their sins. You have withdrawn all your wrath; you have revoked your burning anger. 

R. Lord, show us your mercy and love. 

Restore us, O God our savior, and abandon your displeasure against us. Will you be ever angry with us, prolonging your anger to all generations? 

R. Lord, show us your mercy and love. 

Will you not instead give us life; and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O LORD, your kindness, and grant us your salvation. 

R. Lord, show us your mercy and love.

ALLELUIA

John 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Know and Obey the Signs

The WORD today reminds me that God wants us not only to know, but also to obey signs from Him. 

Road signs are very important and helpful, especially if one is not familiar with the road. It tells motorists where to go, how to go there, what the rules are, etc. They help keep people safe. However, there are a number of tests and studies that show that a lot of motorists, especially those driving public utility vehicles in our country, do not know the meaning of these signs. Therefore, they lose their purpose. They become useless. Signs would only be useful t if motorists know what they mean and if they are followed properly.

Sometimes, or a lot of times, we want those kinds of tangible signs from God too.

Why not?

Who would not want affirmation or assurance of what God wants us to do in a specific situation? Who would not want what God wants us to choose, or where he wants us to go? Even people in the bible asked for signs from God.

However, it can also be taken out of bounds.

In the gospel we see Jesus warning the people about asking for signs. While it is normal to ask for signs, it becomes bad if the heart is closed to God’s signs. It is bad if the heart wants God to conform to what we want, not for us to be open to what God wants. The people of Nineveh were living in sin, and did not ask for a sign. But when God sent Jonah to warn them, they repented. However, the people already had Jesus with them to warn them and preach to them, but their hearts were closed. They did not want him, they wanted a sign based on their own expectations and standards. They wanted God to conform to what they want, that’s why Jesus said no sign will be given to them.

The 

Signs will only be useful if recognized and followed.

Aside from being open to what the signs tell us, we should also know how to recognize signs. Drivers are supposed to take examinations to familiarize themselves with road signs. If they don't know the meaning, research should be done. Else, signs would be useless. In the same way, we should also exert time and effort to know God more, so we can recognize his answers and his signs for us, and not just recognize what we want and be closed to our idea of signs.

However, knowing and recognizing signs are not enough. There should be more. Action should be done. Hindi pwedeng puro realizations lang. it is not enough to know signs. That benefits no one. We should act upon it. We should live and obey signs. The first reading tells us what he wants us to do. Not to just offer things and sacrifice things to and for him. God simply wants us to serve and obey him. God wants us to do what is right, to live right, and to walk humbly and surrender our lives to God. 

How about us? Do we ask for signs or do what we can – reading the bible, praying, receiving the sacraments, to know what God wants us to do and how God wants us to live our lives? If we ask for signs, are we open and sensitive to get and recognize signs not just based on what we want, but what God wants? Or do we want God to conform to what sign we want from Him? When we recognize signs, do we obey God, or are we just contented with recognizing sings from God? Do I surrender to God?

May we do our part to prepare so we can recognize signs from God, and do what we can to obey Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am close minded. Sorry for not being open to you and for only wanting specific signs. Sorry for not recognizing you. Sorry for not doing what you want me to do, especially after recognizing your signs.  Lord, I pray that you always make you presence alive in my life. Help me do my part so I will always be sensitive to you. May I work and do my part to build a strong and personal relationship with you, so that I would know you more and recognize you, instead of just asking for signs. And help me have the resolve to do your will and submit to you. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

July 20, 2020

Monday of Week 16; St. Apollinarius

FIRST READING

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8

Hear what the LORD says:

Arise, present your plea before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice! Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD, pay attention, O foundations of the earth! For the LORD has a plea against his people, and he enters into trial with Israel. 

O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 

With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

“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. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. 

“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.” 

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. 

“Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” 

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. 

“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” 

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

ALLELUIA

Psalm 95:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”

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.”’”