"Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age." (Mt 13:40)
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Book of Jeremiah
Jer 14:17-22
Let my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.
Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name's sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 13:36-43
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
TUESDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mt 12:46-50
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
The Word of God today talks about Jesus Christ-exalting those who know how to listen and practice the words of God the Father.
The Word of God recounts the incident of Mother Mary and His brothers and sisters anxiously searching for Him. This was while He was teaching among the disciples and the crowd. With a mother's love, the Blessed Mother Mary tried every way to meet Jesus. The Blessed Mother is a woman who always knows how to fear, listen, and practice the words of God the Father through absolute obedience to God: Yes! “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Today, Jesus Christ honors all those who know how to listen and practice the words of God the Father. Whoever lives according to the will of the Father in heaven in surrendered obedience is His mother and brother. He said: “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Through that, Jesus also emphasized the close relationship between humans and God the Father. This relationship will bring life and full happiness to people in the Kingdom of Heaven in the future. Therefore, the main purpose of Jesus Christ's coming to earth to become a human is to be with humanity, to help people return to God the Father, and to help people to always have a close relationship with Him. That is the love between humans and God. He calls everyone to appreciate the intimate and unique relationship between humans and God the Father.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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