July 31, 2012 – Matthew 13:37-43 – Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds

He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the son of Man, the field is the world, and the good seeds are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with dire, so will it be at the end of the age. The son of man will send his angels, they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the king of their Father’s. Let anyone with ears listen.

Father Glenn McDonald spoke about the forgotten spirituality of the sacred heart of Jesus, an image of His heart burning with fire and entwined with thorns. The sacred heart flows from the experience of pining with unrequited love just like unwanted love for children, those facing odds with parents, and families that are disenfranchised of rights or deprived of privileges. The sacred heart is about the experience when you love someone and felt unanswered and painful. The sacred heart is the point of contact to speak to young people on how to love and deal with experiences with unanswered love. Let us pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to grant us with the gift of unfailing love especially those who are disconnected with their families and loved ones.

July 28, 2012 – Matthew 13:24-30 – The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

"He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field, but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among them and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.” …..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."

Father Patrick Fitzpatrick mentioned that “mass-going” and “right-living” must go hand in hand. The message of the parable in the gospel is “Do not uproot the weeds among the wheat and permit them to grow together.” We are invited to contemplate whether we should excommunicate unwanted persons in the society, expel bad students from school or get rid of others. Can we learn from these people or find a place for them? Let us grow together, take and sort them out at harvest time and let live for now.

July 27, 2012 – Matthew 13:18-23 – The Parable of the Sower Explained

"Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart: this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises because of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the words and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty."

Father Nino Cavoto shared his message on the gospel’s theme about the parable of the sower, to quote:  “Only hearts who are open to the whispers of God can hear the word of God.” God does not shout but whispers and listens. Jesus retells the parables of the sower who scattered seeds on tilled soil. He compared the solid soil to our hearts needing to be tilled which means our hearts needs to receive the words of God as He utters in whispers. The tilling of the heart pertains to suffering, pain, and disappointments. It is only the voice of God that gives us comfort when our hearts are being tilled. We can compare our hearts to the soil where we lived on earth - the Ontario clay – made up of solid art clay, hard in dry hot weather, difficult to till so it needs a sharp spade so seeds can penetrate. We should ask ourselves what kind of soil we are – rough patch or stone patch. Tilling is important by opening our hearts to the word of God that gives us new life. Let us say this prayer: “O Lord, open our hearts to hear your whispers.”

July 26, 2012 – Matthew 13:16-17 – The Purpose of the Parables

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what your hear, but did not hear it."

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne who are parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father Dan Donovan cited the book “Praying the Mass” which suggests an approach to the celebration of a period of sustained prayers. It is written that prayers involve two aspects: first, the presence of God, and second, an experience of dialogue. In praying, there is dialogue because we speak to God and He speaks to us. Just like the mass, prayer begins with a sign of the cross to become aware of the presence of God. The first form of the prayer is the penitential rite which is an act of humility. We always come before God with empty hands. Another form of prayer is it involves an act of faith, trust, and reverence to almighty God. The message of the book is to live according to Gods’ will and to pray always.  

July 25, 2012 – Matthew 20-20-28 – Treasure in clay jars

St. James the Apostle

"But we have this treasure in clay jars so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us; but life in you."

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. James the apostle who was the first martyred apostle. Father Michael Traher stressed that the Lord works best in our weakness and frailties. Like St. James, let us endure our sufferings for God's glory.

July 24, 2012 – Matthew 12:46-48-50 - The True Kindred of Jesus

"But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciple, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother."

Father Glenn McDonald relayed that the gospel’s theme is about the role of mothers and brothers. The gospel is telling us how to be a good mother or brother of Christ as members of the church and followers of God’s will. We are invited to reflect on the life of Mary as mother of Christ and know our obligations as a mother of our children in terms of love, forgiveness, trust, and openness.

July 23, 2012 – Matthew 12:38-42 – The sign of Jonah

"Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was for three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster so for three days and three nights the son of man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see something greater then Jonah is here."

Father Michael Busch explained that believing Jesus is not easy as we seek his power and ask for signs that he is God. We sometimes want answers or proof that he is in control. It is good to continue asking Jesus for signs when we are in trouble, when disaster strike or face with crisis. Put our faith in God and not give in to fear which drives us to question His promise. Let us not suffer in silence. The sure way to get God’s attention is to do justice, love, kindness, faith and trust in Him. God has not abandoned us. Do not be like Pharisees or scribes asking for signs. There is no need for signs for the one true revelation. Remember Jesus and ask for strength or food to satisfy our hunger and thirst. Jesus is the bread of life; trust that his promise of redemption will come true.

July 21, 2012 – Matthew 12:14-21 – God’s Chosen Servant

"This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with home, my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles… He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering with wick until he brings justice to victory and in his name, the Gentiles will hope."

Father Patrick Fitzpatrick said that the persons who gave Jesus the most trouble are the Romans, Pilate, religious leaders like Sadducees, High Priest and temple people. Jesus was homeless, had no permanent place to stay, and depended on welcome and hospitality of the people. He was gentle, different, and unique and annoyed by the priests because of his motto “people first before rules and regulations”. Compassion and not power over others is His trademark.  God made Jesus as his chosen servant.