God's Word to Us: 16

Showing posts with label 16. Show all posts

July 16, 2022

16th Sunday - C (July 17, 2022)

Welcome Jesus and Listen to Him

Last Sunday, with the example of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught the ultimate value of caring for others, especially those who are in need.

The week before, when sending out the seventy-two disciples, Jesus told them to stay where they would be welcome.

Both of those passages are taken from Luke, Chapter 10, which we continue today.

Against that background, it is not by accident that Luke begins today’s Gospel reporting that “Martha welcomed” Jesus into her home.

We need to grow in “listening to” Jesus. Yes. But first, we must imitate Martha, welcoming Jesus into our hearts and our homes.

Image source: www.agnusday.org

July 18, 2020

16th Sunday - A (July 19, 2020)

Kindness

Matthew 13:24-43

Good seed, children of the kingdom, smallest, bear fruit (Gospel), lenient, clemency, kind (First Reading).

These keywords from the readings of this Sunday remind us of the way God deals with us and the way we are called to imitate.

There are times when things may not appear that way. Our sins, darkness, and evil can appear loud, powerful and overwhelming.

Still, the goodness of God is already in us and all around us. Jesus calls us, “children of the kingdom” (Gospel). St. Paul assures us, “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness” (Second Reading). The writer the Book of Wisdom professes God’s patience to us sinners, “[giving] your children good ground for hope, [and permitting] repentance for their sins” (First Reading).

That is the way of our God who is “master of might” and “over all things.” This God also teaches “that those who are just must be kind” (First Reading).

July 20, 2019

16th Sunday - C (July 21, 2019)

At His Feet, Listening

Luke 10: 38-42

We continue listening to Luke, Chapter 10. Two weeks ago, as Jesus sent to 72 disciples out, he affirmed the value of hospitality. He distinguished two attitudes, “Whatever town you enter and they welcome you” and “Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you” and the consequences.

Then last week, also in Chapter 10, Luke gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan, one who goes out of his way to serve the needs of another person.

That Jesus spoke of the importance of hospitality and generous service helps us to better understand what he says to Martha in today’s Gospel.

Martha does what she thinks is best to welcome Jesus.

But that does not seem to be what Jesus is looking for.

In serving others, sometimes with good intentions, we might give others what we think they need, not what they actually need.

And when we serve Jesus, there are moments when Jesus wants us to be with him, at his feet, listening to him, not busy running around doing things.

Image source: www.agnusday.org

July 22, 2018

16th Sunday - B (July 22, 2018)

Jesus Christ – the Source and Model of Compassion

Ephesian 2: 13-18 & Mark 6: 30-34

Jesus gives us brothers and sisters to love and he shows us how to be compassionate.

St. Paul, a Jew, calls the Gentile Ephesians his “brothers and sisters.” He then gives the source of this relationship. It is Christ who has brought all into God’s family by his blood on the cross (2^nd Reading).

And Jesus himself is the ultimate model of compassion – “his heart was moved with pity” for the people when he saw them “like sheep without a shepherd.”

Jesus' attitude should challenge me to ask if I discriminate people who are different. Moreover, do I live the compassion of Jesus in treating other people in my life?

Image source: www.agnusday.org

July 22, 2017

16th Sunday - A (July 23, 2017)

Commentary

Matthew 13:24-43

Small Seeds of Goodness

Throughout human history, people have made (and continue to make) various attempts to explain the confounding question of good and evil. It takes place in philosophy, ethics, literature, theology, arts, … and over a cup of coffee or a glass of beer.

In today’s first parable, Jesus tells us that good and evil will always coexist. At times, it is not easy to separate them. In fact, we know well that both good and evil exist in each one of us.

We will always have to live with this confusing dichotomy.

One thing is clear, however. Both good and evil can begin with a tiny seed.

While in this life, we cannot always totally uproot evil. However, we can plant the seeds of goodness. And as Jesus tells us in the first parable, the weed cannot choke out the wheat. It still bears good fruit. [1]

Small seeds, with God’s grace, will become “the largest of plants.”