Daily Readings - Sun Jul 23 2017

Second Reading - Romans 8.26-27

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

Gospel - Matthew 13.24-33

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 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.