23 Jul
Sat
16th Week in Ordinary Time
St Bridget of Sweden, religious
Ex. 24:3-8
Ps. 50:1-2,5-6,14-15
Mt. 13:24-30
(Ps Wk IV)
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In today's parable, surely the farmer planting good seed represents Jesus who planted the seed of God's Word among us. But, as it began to take root, in the new communities that were dedicated to living his Word, other elements came in planting harmful weeds. The natural instinct of some was to get rid of them immediately. But the farmer was against this. In pulling up the weeds they might mistakenly pull up some good seed as well. Wait till the harvest time and then it will be clear which is wheat and which are weeds. It is a picture of our Christian communities. It is not always easy to distinguish the genuinely good from the unfaithful who may look good on the surface. Not to mention that each one of us is a mixture of good and bad. We have a double task: one, is to try and be truly good through and through; at the same time, we must be very slow to pass judgement on the goodness of other people. Let us remember the parable of the speck and the plank in each other's eyes.



Lord, let me praise You always and value the goodness of others.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christians be sensitive to the needs of everyone, without ever hiding the radical requirements of the Gospel message.
Elaboration

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