Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (July 27, 2014)

First reading: 1 Kgs. 3: 5, 7-12

“The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.  God said, ‘Ask something of me and I will give it to you.’  Solomon answered: ‘O Lord, my God, you have made me, you servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.  I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.  Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge you people and to distinguish right from wrong.  For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?’

“The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.  So God said to him: ‘Because you have asked for this – not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, not for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I do as you requested.  I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.’”
 

Second reading: Rom. 8: 28-30

“Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.”
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 13: 44-52

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.  When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.  When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets.  What is bad they throw away.  Thus it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“’Do you understand all these things?’  They answered, ‘Yes.’  And he replied, ‘Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.’”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The common theme from today’s readings is the distinction given to those who respond to God’s call of serving his kingdom, rather than seeking the purpose of satisfying their own personal fulfillment in life.
 

Reflection:

In the first reading we have the highest example of disregarding what one might want for one’s self in preference of serving God’s purpose in King Solomon, and the exalted manner in which God rewarded such selfless service of others.  We who sacrifice self-interest for the greater good of others can embrace for ourselves the same fondness in God’s heart that Solomon enjoyed, because this is the likeness of God who is WHOLEY OTHER.

In the second reading we are given to understand that we who do respond to this call of self-sacrifice for the purpose of serving God’s kingdom were actually foreknown, and as such will enjoy a special distinction of association to the Lord himself.

Finally, in the gospel we have an alarming warning concerning the end of the age.  At some point in time there will occur an event that will separate the bad from the good, and that measure of division is in fact the willingness and ability to sacrifice self for others in service of God’s will for a greater good.  It is a very simple distinction that wastes no time identifying each individual’s true self.

Should this event occur sometime soon …where would you stand?  Are your self-interests too important for you to sacrifice; or do you love your neighbor enough to sacrifice your self-serving interests for the benefit of others?

Come!  Listen… and hear his call. 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A (July 20, 2014)

First reading: Wis. 12:13, 16-19

“There is no god besides you who have the care of all, that you need show you have not unjustly condemned.  For you 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.”

 

Second reading: Rom. 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.”

 

Gospel reading: Mt. 13: 24-30 (Short form)  [Long version: continues until verse 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 seeds 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.’’”

 

Introductory theme summary:

In the first reading we have a clear expression of how necessary it is to conform our lives morally to God’s ways.  God’s power is so complete that it makes him merciful and kind by providing the space of time for repentance.  But for those who neglect to repent and conform, it will be clear that God was just in condemning them.  In the gospel reading we have the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which is an end of the age parable that relates to the judgment of those who persisted in their sins.  The second reading gives assurance of God’s Spirit for assistance to those who strive for holiness in life.

Reflection:

In the long version of this gospel reading the apostles ask the Lord to explain the parable of the wheat and the weeds, in which the Lord proceeds to indicate that the weeds represent those who cause or lead others to sin.  It does very little good to soften the meaning of a parable as it relates to us in our day and age, especially when it relates to the details of our judgment.  Therefore, this reflection will be specific in its implications of those who cause or lead others to sin. 

When one examines our society, it doesn’t take long to identify who, or rather what, is responsible for influencing others to disregard the standard of God’s morality in favor sinning as if to rewrite the rules of conduct.  Our culture of entertainment, or more specifically those individuals who use their fame to advance values that contradict God’s will for us.  These contrary values have all but overshadowed traditional principals of morality in our day and age. 

These people are those weeds.  Don’t be deceived by the popular trends of our culture.  This time will come to an end and when it does those who resisted those sinful values will shine like the stars of heaven, so be strong!  Hold out!  Fight the good fight so that you can be counted among the holy ones.

Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle A (July 13, 2014)

First reading: Is. 55: 10-11

“Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”

 

Second reading: Rom. 8: 18-23

“Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.  For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.  We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 13: 1-9 (Short form)

“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 fall 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 soli was not deep, and went the sun rose it was scorched, and 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 of sixty of thirtyfold.  Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

The common theme from today’s readings is the fruitfulness of God’s word, and our responsibility for being so as a measure of an authentic possession of faith. 

Reflection:

Contrary to the Protestant belief, today’s readings substantiate the necessity of a faithful reception of God’s word being accompanied by works or the claim of faith is empty, or in this metaphor – fruitless. 

More interesting, however, are two specific passages from the second reading: “Creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;” and, “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”

Everyone expects that the resurrection will involve the glorification of our bodies, which will certainly be the redemption of our bodies.  But, when these two passages are put together, as is appropriate considering they are both within the context of the same message, it would appear that the two point to the same thing.  Therefore, the revelation of the children of God will involve our adoption, which will also include the redemption of our bodies.

Just imagine what that will entail – actually realizing our likeness to God.  Could those who do not believe in the possibility of living their lives as Christ lived his by our reception of him through his real presence in the Eucharist, realize what they do not believe?  This brings our attention to a very specific passage in the gospels: the "taken and left" passages.[1]  The imagery from the "taken and left" passage is meant to depict how even though two people can appear to have the same standing with God on the outside, on the inside the exact opposite may actually be the case. 

Contrary to those who believe in the rapture; for the children of God to be revealed, and for their revelation to bring nature’s deliverance from corruption, those children must remain here and therefore “taken” must have another meaning than a literal one of departing from this world. 

This is the end for which God has sent his word – accomplishing man’s redemption.

 

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[1] Mt. 24:40-41 “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.”

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There will not be a post this week due to preparations for my father's memorial service.
My apologies and thank you for understanding.
Please join me next week as I intend to resume blogging.