Friday, July 22, 2005
SATURDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
JULY 23, 2005
SATURDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I
EXODUS 24:3-8
When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they
responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do."
Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. He got up early the
next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up
twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he
sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and
sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. Moses took
half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled
on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the
people. They responded, "We will do verything the LORD has said; we
will obey." Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and
said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with
you in accordance with all these words."
MATTHEW 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man
who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his
enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the
wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The
owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn't you sow good seed
in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' `An enemy did
this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and
pull them up?' "`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the
weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together
until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First
collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the
wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
REFLECTION
The existence of both good and evil in this world cannot be denied.
Evil seems to be prevalent everywhere - in media with all its
violence and sensationalized half-truths, in society where greed,
malice, gossip, and hatred brews, in politics, where promises are made
but not kept, and "friends" can easily become enemies at the turn of
the tides. More than just being scandalous - the evil we see is a
reality, and it can be overwhelming. And we may find ourselves asking
the classic question: "Why is there evil in this world?"
Yet, it is not merely evil that exists in this world. Good and evil
will be present until the end of the world. Good and evil, light and
darkness, will always be found in society, institutions, and in people.
In each and every one of us, there is that potential, that capacity
for either one to grow. Jesus asks us to listen to the parable, and to
decide - which one do we choose? "Are you wheat or are you weeds?
Do you seek to follow My word, or do you tend to listen more to the
evil one? "
This is where discernment comes in - we try to listen for Jesus'
voice in the noisy marketplace. God respects us and gives us the
freedom to make decisions on our own. He knows that temptation can be
strong, and can make our good intentions waver. He also knows that we
can make time to actively seek His will, to pray, discern and decide to
keep on choosing what is good.
With discernment also comes patience - Jesus challenges us to avoid
the traps of self-righteousness and being overly judgmental. We tend
to immediately exclude and isolate those we see as threats to goodness,
without giving these people or groups a chance for conversion to happen
in their lives and perhaps in our own lives too. Sometimes we may not
realize that the evil we see around us is also somehow present inside
us. These two forces of good and evil will keep battling with each
other around us, and inside of us, until the end of time. So it is not
for us to judge and label people, groups and forces as the good guys or
the bad guys. The task of
separating the good and the bad is in God's hands alone - He will
decide how evil will be conquered, and overcome by the mystery of the
cross, overcome by the goodness that comes from Him alone.
God alone knows what is in our hearts, and with our trust in Him, and
constant discernment, we pray that we will choose that which will
transform evil to good.
PRAYER
"Lord, may your word take deep root in my heart and that I may bear
good fruit for your glory. May I hunger for your righteousness now that
I may look forward to the day of judgment with joy rather than with
dismay."
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Mr. Roberto C. Villasol.
Eternal rest grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May
he rest in peace.
- in thanksgiving for all the blessings received by Cha.
- for the guidance and special intentions of Rev.
- for the all the concerns and special intentions of Jhob.
- for the special intentions of Joseph.
- for the personal intentions of Patricia M.
- for the personal intentions of Lydia and family.
- In Memorian: Engracia Hollmann
- In Memorian: Angel Pe
- for speedy recovery of Kerri Elise A. David. For the personal
intentions of her parents.
- for the good health and special intentions of Franciosa Vanessa L.
Chua.
- for the enlightenment & good health of Elsa & Paolo.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- In Memoriam: Milagros Manlapaz
- Wedding Anniversary: Eduardo T. & Margarita Onglatco
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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