Daily Readings - Sun Jul 23 2017
Romans
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Matthew
24He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,25but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.27And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?'28He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'29But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"31He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."33He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound insights into the nature of faith, patience, and the mysterious ways of God. The second reading from Romans reminds us that even in our weakness, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying on our behalf with sighs too deep for words. This passage reassures us that we are never alone in our struggles, for the Spirit moves in us, aligning our prayers with God’s will. The Gospel from Matthew presents three parables about the Kingdom of Heaven: the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the leaven. These parables teach us about patience, trust, and the transformative power of God’s grace. The weeds and wheat remind us to trust in God’s timing and judgment, while the mustard seed and leaven show how even the smallest beginnings can lead to extraordinary growth.
The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on trust and surrender. The Spirit’s intercession in Romans mirrors the divine patience shown in the parables. Just as the master in the field waits for the harvest, knowing that the weeds will be sorted out in due time, we too are called to trust in God’s plan, even when we cannot fully understand it. The leaven and mustard seed remind us that our small acts of faith, though they may seem insignificant, can have a profound impact when entrusted to God.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace patience and hope. We often face challenges and uncertainties, like the presence of weeds among the wheat, but we are called to trust that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. The Holy Spirit’s intercession assures us that our prayers are heard, even when words fail us. Let us cultivate trust in God’s timing and remember that even the smallest acts of faith can lead to remarkable growth. May we surrender our weaknesses and uncertainties to the Spirit, knowing that God’s grace will bring forth a harvest of holiness and joy in His time.