Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": 16th Sun., Ordinary Time

Readings

Wis 12:13, 16-19 You care for all. Your might is the source of justice, making you lenient to all. You taught us that the just must be kind; and you gave us good ground for hope that you would permit repentance.

Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 "Lord, you are good and forgiving," kind to all who call you. All shall worship and glorify you. Turn to me, have pity, and give me strength.

Rom 8:26-27 The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we don't know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes for us according to God's will.

Mt 13:24-43 Parable: “The kingdom is like one who sowed good seed, but his enemy sowed weeds. When the crop grew, the weeds appeared too. He told his servants, ‘Let them grow, then at harvest I'll have the weeds collected for burning, then gather the wheat.’” Another: “The kingdom is like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds but the largest of plants.” Another: “The kingdom is like yeast mixed with flour till the batch was leavened.” Disciples / Jesus: “Explain to us the parable of the weeds.” / “The sower of good seed is the Son, the good seed the children of the kingdom, the weeds the children of evil, the enemy the devil, the harvest the end of the age, and the harvesters angels. As weeds are collected and burned, so will the Son send angels to collect evildoers and throw them into the furnace. Then the righteous will shine.”

Music

God is working for our good/ Hayes (2nd reading; see v. 1) [Hear more Romans 8 songs here and here]
Seed, scattered and sown/ Feiten (gospel)

Reflections

Creighton: From the USCCB's Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice: Restorative justice attends to the needs of victim, offender, and the community; it's richer and more healing than strict retribution; it holds offenders more accountable. Ending: “We're guided by the paradoxical Catholic teaching on crime and punishment: we won't tolerate the crime, and we won't give up on those who have lost their way. We seek justice and mercy.... We believe a Catholic ethic of responsibility, rehabilitation, and restoration can become the foundation for necessary reform...” (paraphrase). How do I judge others harshly, demonizing them? How do I show compassion?

Passionist: The field owner doesn't want good wheat sacrificed by rooting out weeds. The field will be messy, but the owner's patience will yield a better harvest. We're in a hurry to judge, find resolution, make points, and fix, but God takes time to save.

DailyScripture.net: Weeds can spoil a good harvest, but uprooting them early can destroy good plants. As nature teaches patience, so God teaches us to guard his lifegiving word and beware evil that can destroy it. / As the mustard seed grew into a tree, God's kingdom starts from hearts receptive to God's word, then transforms from within. As leaven transforms dough into bread when heated, God transforms those who receive life from Christ. When we yield, our lives are transformed by the power of the Spirit in us. Good and evil are sown in our hearts like seeds which eventually yield a harvest of good or bad fruit. "Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny." (Reade?) We'll reap what we've sown.