This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, July 23rd is from Matthew 13:24-43.
Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field… The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this…if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Reflection
“Jesus counsels patience for those who tend the wheat fields. Do not judge or condemn prematurely. If we heed the movement of the Spirit in our lives, we can blossom, nourishing others with the fruit we bear.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Exodus 14:5-18; Matthew 12:38-42
Tuesday 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28
Saint James, Apostle (Feast) – James, son of Zebedee, was a fisherman with his brother John. He was close to the Lord, being present at the raising of Jairus’s daughter, at the transfiguration, and in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is known as James the Greater, to distinguish him from the other apostle of the same name. He is a patron saint of Spain and of pilgrims.
Wednesday Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15; Matthew 13:1-9
Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial) – The gospels tell us nothing about Mary’s parents, not even their names. What we know from Christian tradition is found in non-scriptural writings such as the Protogospel of James. Devotion to St. Anne existed in sixth-century Constantinople and in eighth-century Rome. By the sixteenth century this feast day was universal. Joachim has been honored in the East from the earliest days, but in the West only since the sixteenth century.
Thursday Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b; Matthew 13:10-17
Friday Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 13:18-23
Saturday Exodus 24:3-8; John 11:19-27
Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (Memorial) – Martha, her sister, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus were very close friends of Jesus. Martha is a model of hospitality as well as of fidelity in her discipleship. Mary shows us how important it is to listen closely to Jesus. And Jesus called Lazarus forth from the tomb after Lazarus had been dead for four days. May we follow their example in welcoming and listening to Jesus, and affirm with Martha that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. SOURCE: Living with Christ, July 2023