Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 23 July 2023 Homily for 23 July 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19
For neither is there any god besides you, whose care is for all people, to whom you should prove that you have not judged unjustly. (13)
We will be judged for our ways here on earth. The hidden practices and the criminal minds that we harbor will be judged. Our God is a just God, He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy but we are not to put him to the test! Our insolence like that of the Canaanites, will not go unnoticed by the Sovereign Lord. It is in his mercy that we are provided an opportunity each day to conform ourselves to righteous living!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 86: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. (5-6)
Amen!
Second Reading: Romans 8: 26-27
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (26-27)
Even before we speak a word to God, He understands our sighs! We will rest our case at his feet and rejoice, for we have the victory!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-43
So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. (26)
But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” (29-30)
“It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (32)
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! (43)
We must remember today, that every time there is a good crop, we will find weeds there! (v.26) The good works of our Father can never be stopped, even though there is evil around! For a time or a season, we may find the unrighteous weed flourishing and blooming! (v.29) But there is a reason for this too! Every one of us is offered opportunity every day, to bear the fruit of the wheat of our Father! We may miss out on that opportunity if we get dragged down by the weeds around us! We must nurture the mustard seed–sized kingdom in our hearts, which is enough to produce manifold harvest! We are called to live a community life, supporting our fellow brethren even in the smallest way possible. Our faith life must be shared as we journey together! The seed that the Lord has planted in us will produce its yield in due season! Amen!
HE, who is GOD over all is our Father! (v.43) We will walk as his children!
In Jesus’ name, Amen! Alleluia, Amen!
