16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: O God of our hope, you have promised that your Son will return in glory to bring to completion the work begun in his death and resurrection. May your church, made new in the waters of baptism, be a living sign of hope for all those who look toward the future, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Matthew 13:24—43 (shorten form Matt.13:24-30)

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. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.

"When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. 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.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, 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."'

The gospel of the Lord.

Focus: The weeds and the wheat grow together. None of us is wise enough to weed out the bad without harming the good. Let us be nonjudgmental of others and practice patience with all.

Questions for Reflection and Sharing:

1.  What is the major concept Jesus is trying to teach with this parable?

2.  Is there a personal challenge for you in this gospel?

3.  How would a Christian steward respond to this gospel?

Concluding prayer: O God, sovereign in strength yet forbearing in judgment, you give us time and let us grow, the weeds and the wheat together, until harvest. Teach us that the righteous must also be kind and gentle. Let your church, passing no judgment, slowly become a sign of your kingdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.