Daily Readings - Sun Jul 19 2020

¹³For neither is there any other God but you, who has care of all, to whom you would show that you did not give judgment unjustly¹⁶For your power is the beginning of justice, and, because you are Lord of all, you make yourself to be lenient to all¹⁷For you reveal power to those who do not believe you to be perfect in power, and you expose the arrogance of those who do not know you¹⁸Yet, you are the master of power, since you judge with tranquility, and since you administer us with great reverence; for it is close to you to be used whenever you will¹⁹But you have taught your people, through such works, that they must be just and humane, and you have made your sons to be of good hope, because in judging you provide a place for repentance from sins

Romans

Chapter 8

²⁶And similarly, the Spirit also helps our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself asks on our behalf with ineffable sighing²⁷And he who examines hearts knows what the Spirit seeks, because he asks on behalf of the saints in accordance with God

Matthew

Chapter 13

²⁴He proposed another parable to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field²⁵But while the men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds amid the wheat, and then went away²⁶And when the plants had grown, and had produced fruit, then the weeds also appeared²⁷So the servants of the Father of the family, approaching, said to him: ‘Lord, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how is it that it has weeds?²⁸And he said to them, ‘A man who is an enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Is it your will that we should go and gather them up?²⁹And he said: ‘No, lest perhaps in gathering the weeds, you might also root out the wheat together with it³⁰Permit both to grow until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers: Gather first the weeds, and bind them into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather into my storehouse.’ ³¹He proposed another parable to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field³²It is, indeed, the least of all seeds, but when it has grown, it is greater than all the plants, and it becomes a tree, so much so that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches.³³He spoke another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of fine wheat flour, until it was entirely leavened.

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore themes of justice, mercy, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom highlights God's justice and leniency, emphasizing His care for all and the balance between power and mercy. The second reading from Romans illustrates the Holy Spirit's role in aiding our weaknesses, particularly in prayer, aligning our desires with God's will. The Gospel presents three parables: the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the leaven, each illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven's growth and the coexistence of good and evil until the harvest. These readings interconnect by first establishing God's justice and mercy, then showing how the Holy Spirit assists us in living justly, and finally, through parables, demonstrating the Kingdom's patient growth. The Book of Wisdom sets the stage with God's providence, Romans connects with the Spirit's guidance, and the Gospel provides practical examples of growth and transformation. Applying these teachings to daily life, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and patience. Despite life's challenges, we should allow the Spirit to guide us, living with hope and patience. The moral lesson encourages us to embrace God's justice and mercy, trust in the Spirit's guidance, and cultivate patience as we await God's ultimate triumph. Let us live with faith, knowing the Kingdom grows within us, transforming our lives and the world around us.