Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 40 The Proper Amount of Drink
Mass: Wis 12:13, 16-19; Resp Ps 86; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43

You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity.

HEART OF JESUS, PATIENT AND FULL OF MERCY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Related to the proper amount of drink allotted to community members, Saint Benedict begins Ch 40 with the words of Saint Paul: Everyone has his own gift from God, one this and another that (1 Cor 7:7). Because of the varying gifts and needs of each person, it is not an easy task to say, "this one gets that much to drink, that one this much." Some need little, others need more. In the end, it is the superior's decision who gets what, how much, and when-of anything. The response of all community members should be one of gratitude. And above all, there should be no grumbling (RB 40:9).

Saint Benedict's chapter on drink is not unrelated to today's Gospel. There, Jesus proposes another parable to those gathered. In fact, the Lord proposes three. As far as weeds and wheat are concerned, it may be good to remember that all of us, the weeds and the wheat together, were created in the image and likeness of God. Each one of us has her own gift from God, one this and another that. It is not for me to decide who is wheat and who is weed. By the grace of go any of us. I, the self-proclaimed wheat, just happened to end up on this side of the prison wall, while another, points my finger, ends up on the other side. Whoops, there goes my other three fingers pointing back at me. 😞 For now, let us, the weeds and the wheat, grow together until harvest (Mt 13:30). In due time, the Sower of good seed, that is, the Son of Man (Mt 13:37) will send his angels to separate the weeds from the wheat. In the meantime, the Lord prunes us. He is patient and merciful, calling each one of to turn away from our evil ways and turn towards Him. Our Lord is about forgiveness and mercy. Help us, Lord to be about the same. May we be grateful. And above all, there should be no grumbling. We pray:

WE TRUST IN YOU, O LORD.

When we are tempted by harmful choices offered to us under a false guise of good, protect and guide us.

When we judge one another or ourselves too quickly, teach us patience and discernment.

When we fail to bear the good fruit of the word you have sown in us, nourish and prune us by the power of your Holy Spirit.

(Magnificat, Intercessions, Prayer for the Evening, July 18, 2020).

We sang Psalm 50 [51] at Lauds. Always a good one. Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.

Today's photo: This peaceful scene is a fitting companion for a comforting psalm. Thank you MG.

© Gertrude Feick 2020