Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 30, 2024
Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time
30th July 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Jeremiah 14:17b-22
Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people is shattered with a great wound, with a very grievous blow. If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge. Have you utterly rejected Judah? Does your soul loathe Sion? Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror. We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you. Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake; do not dishonour your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us. Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.
Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13 (R. see 9bc)
R/. For the sake of the glory of your name, free us O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Matthew 13:36-43
At that time: Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons 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 gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Friday – Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: Evil may be justified but does not make one just; evil may seem to reign high and gain more, but that is only shallow and short-lived; because it is only God and good that have the authentic victory, and their fruits last long
1. The parable of weeds and good seeds very much symbolizes our own life situation. There is evil and it is obviously prevalent and dominant. Often evil is practically so profitable while the good proves to be disadvantageous and troublesome. In such a context, quite naturally one will be discouraged and tempted to give up the just path and follow the wrong one.
2. But the reign of evil is not ultimate. Temporary profits and worldly gains cannot decide the rightness of life and promote evil. God sees, probes, judges, and gives each one what is due. Weeds will have wild growth but at the right time, will be destroyed. The growth and the prosperity of the evil is no sign that the evil is all-powerful and irresistible. It also means in no way that God is indifferent or powerless.
3. He is not in a hurry or in rush or overenthusiastic to immediately judge, condemn and terminate all the evil-doers at once with one blow. Therefore, the patience and the benevolent lenience of God are not a reason for evil to feast or to have sway over everything. Neither should it be a cause for the good to give up hope and duty.
4. On one hand, for those who are on the evil side, it is a duration and occasion to repent and return to God as in the first reading. On the other hand, for those who are on God and good side, it is the opportune and testing time to persevere and prove their faith and good life.
Practice: The sun is under clouds for a while or not seen at the night. But the Lord will make the just shine like the sun. Justice seems to be denied but it is only delayed; Evil seems to be unreined but it will certainly be accounted for.
