Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Believe in a very Patient God despite a very impatient world. From the Heart, Fr. Heart, SVD

1. Welcome to our Bible Study
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time A
23 July 2017
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Wisdom 12:13. 16-19
 13 There is no god besides you who have the care of
all, that you need show you have not unjustly
condemned; 16 For your might is the source of justice;
your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all.
17 For you show your might when the perfection of
your power is disbelieved; and in those who know you,
you rebuke temerity. 18 But though you are master of
might, you judge with clemency, and with much
lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will,
attends you. 19 And you taught your people, by these
deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you
gave your sons good ground for hope that you would
permit repentance for their sins.
The focus is on God’s might.

3. 1st reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
God’s might
 13 There is no god besides you who have the care of all, that you need
show you have not unjustly condemned;
 16 For your might is the source of justice; your mastery over all things
makes you lenient to all.
 17 For you show your might when the perfection of your power is
disbelieved; and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity.
Judging with clemency
 18 But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and
with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will,
attends you.
Teaching to be kind and to repent
 19 And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just
must be kind; and you gave your sons good ground for hope that you
would permit repentance for their sins.
A simple outline!

4. 1st reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
God’s might
 13 There is no god besides you who
have the care of all, that you need
show you have not unjustly
condemned;
 16 For your might is the source of
justice; your mastery over all things
makes you lenient to all.
 17 For you show your might when the
perfection of your power is
disbelieved; and in those who know
you, you rebuke temerity.
Judging with clemency
 18 But though you are master of
might, you judge with clemency, and
with much lenience you govern us; for
power, whenever you will, attends
you.
Teaching to be kind and to repent
 19 And you taught your people, by
these deeds, that those who are just
must be kind; and you gave your sons
good ground for hope that you would
permit repentance for their sins.
Commentary
 V.13 affirms the statement in Exodus
that there is no god besides God.
 It affirms that God cares; he is just
and fair to all.
 V.16 explains why God is just and
gives consideration.
 V.17 states God’s behavior. He
shows his total power to those who
disbelieve him.
 He rebukes those who are timid.
 V.18 repeats v.16 on the might and
leniency of God.
 V.19 gives the morale of God’s
power and leniency:
 That the just might be kind.
 That he may give humans the
reason to repent from their sins.

5. Reflections on the 1st reading
 For God, there is no such thing as pure justice.
 It is always tempered with consideration.
 God tempers his power with clemency.
 God is able to show kindness because of his
power.
 God is doing this in order that we, too, may show
kindness when exercising justice to others, and
that we may repent from our sins.
 Are you just and kind? Or a tyrant?

6. Resp. Ps. 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
 R. (5a) Lord, you are good and forgiving.
 5 You, O LORD, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
6 Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
 9 All the nations you have made shall come
and worship you, O LORD,
and glorify your name.
10 For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
you alone are God.
 15 You, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity.
16 Turn toward me, and have pity on me;
give your strength to your servant.

7. Resp. Ps. 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
 R. (5a) Lord, you are good and
forgiving.
 5 You, O LORD, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call
upon you.
6 Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
 9 All the nations you have made shall
come
and worship you, O LORD,
and glorify your name.
10 For you are great, and you do
wondrous deeds;
you alone are God.
 15 You, O LORD, are a God merciful and
gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in kindness and
fidelity.
16 Turn toward me, and have pity on me;
give your strength to your servant.
Commentary
 V.5 affirms God as good, forgiving
and kind.
 V.6 expresses the petition of the
psalmist.
 V.9 expresses the response of the
nations for his goodness:
 to worship and glorify.
 V.10 also mentions the reason why
people adore him:
 You are great, do wonderful things;
you’re the only God.
 In v.15, the psalmist again affirms
God’s goodness.
 For this reason, the penitent
psalmist finds confidence in God’s
forgiveness and mercy.

8. Reflections on the Psalm
 God is available to forgive all the time.
 God readily answers the prayer of repentant
sinners for mercy and forgiveness.
 Because of his abundant love, God cannot
turn away anyone, who humbly approaches
him and recognizes his might.
 How do you approach God?
 When you pray, are you aware that you are a
sinner in front of God and in need of mercy?

9. 2nd reading: Romans 8:26-27
 26 The Spirit comes to the aid of our
weakness; for we do not know how to
pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself
intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
27 And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the
Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy
ones according to God's will.
The focus is on God’s Spirit.

10. 2nd reading: Romans 8:26-27
 26 The Spirit
comes to the aid of
our weakness; for
we do not know
how to pray as we
ought, but the
Spirit itself
intercedes with
inexpressible
groanings. 27 And
the one who
searches hearts
knows what is the
intention of the
Spirit, because it
intercedes for the
holy ones
according to God's
will.
Commentary
 Paul reflects on the role of the Spirit upon us.
 In v.26, Paul says that the Spirit comes to help
us in our weakness.
 Since we don’t really know how to pray, the
Spirit does it for us.
 Paul describes the Spirit as groaning (sound
effect) as it prays.
 In v.27, Paul is aware that God (the one who
searches the hearts) knows the intention of the
Spirit (our very own intention).
 The Spirit prays for us, God-fearing ones.
 In other words, the Spirit helps us in our prayer.
 It is the Spirit who accompanies us in our prayer.

11. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 The Holy Spirit has a big role in our prayer life.
 It is impossible to pray without the Holy Spirit.
 The Spirit expresses what is in our hearts.
 When we pray, it means that the Spirit is at work
in us.
 Do we pray? How?
 Do we possess the Spirit?
 Having no time to pray is an indication of the
absence of the Spirit in you.

12. Gospel reading: Matthew 13:24-30
 24 Jesus proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom
of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed
in his field. 25 While everyone was asleep his enemy
came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then
went off. 26 When the crop grew and bore fruit, the
weeds appeared as well. 27 The slaves of the
householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not
sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come
from?' 28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His
slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them
up?' 29 He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you
might uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let them
grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say
to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in
bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

13. Gospel reading: Matthew 13:24-30
 24 Jesus proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom
of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed
in his field. 25 While everyone was asleep his enemy
came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then
went off. 26 When the crop grew and bore fruit, the
weeds appeared as well. 27 The slaves of the
householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not
sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come
from?' 28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His
slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them
up?' 29 He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you
might uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let them
grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say
to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in
bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."
The focus is on God’s patience.

14. Gospel reading: Matthew 13:24-30
Good Seed and Bad Seed
 24 Jesus proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom of
heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his
field. 25 While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed
weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. 26 When the
crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
Slaves’ initiative
 27 The slaves of the householder came to him and said, 'Master,
did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds
come from?' 28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His
slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
Master’s restraint
 29 He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the
wheat along with them. 30 Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the
weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat
into my barn."
A simple outline!

15. Gospel reading: Matthew 13:24-30
Good Seed and Bad Seed
 24 Jesus proposed another parable to
them. "The kingdom of heaven may be
likened to a man who sowed good seed in
his field. 25 While everyone was asleep his
enemy came and sowed weeds all through
the wheat, and then went off. 26 When the
crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds
appeared as well.
Slaves’ initiative
 27 The slaves of the householder came to
him and said, 'Master, did you not sow
good seed in your field? Where have the
weeds come from?' 28 He answered, 'An
enemy has done this.' His slaves said to
him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them
up?'
Master’s restraint
 29 He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with
them. 30 Let them grow together until
harvest; then at harvest time I will say to
the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and
tie them in bundles for burning; but gather
the wheat into my barn."'"
Commentary
 Jesus explains the mystery of
the kingdom of heaven (of
God) in parables.
 We are allowed to make
comparisons.
 But comparisons are by nature
limping; they are odious.
 Therefore, as interpreters, we
must seek the meaning/lesson
of the parable for us, rather
than the congruence of the
reality (mystery) and the story.
 What is meaningful is
something that touches our
hearts and converts us.
 If there is no conversion, our
reading is not meaningful.

16. Gospel reading: Matthew 13:24-30
Good Seed and Bad Seed
 24 Jesus proposed another
parable to them. "The kingdom of
heaven may be likened to a man
who sowed good seed in his field.
25 While everyone was asleep his
enemy came and sowed weeds all
through the wheat, and then went
off. 26 When the crop grew and
bore fruit, the weeds appeared as
well.
Slaves’ initiative
 27 The slaves of the householder
came to him and said, 'Master, did
you not sow good seed in your
field? Where have the weeds
come from?' 28 He answered, 'An
enemy has done this.' His slaves
said to him, 'Do you want us to go
and pull them up?'
 In v.24, Jesus takes the freedom
to compare the kingdom of
heaven to a man sowing good
seeds.
 V.25 describes the immediate
action of the enemy: sowing
weeds.
 The enemy comes like a thief at
night, while everyone is sleeping.
 V.26 describes the immediate
result: the crop (wheat) and
weeds grow together.
 The slaves have a problem. Why
are there weeds? They don’t
know where they come from.
v.27
 The question in v.27 indicates
that the master, not the slaves, is
the sower. “Did you not sow…”
the slaves ask.

17. Gospel reading: Matthew 13:24-30
Good Seed and Bad Seed
 24 Jesus proposed another parable to
them. "The kingdom of heaven may be
likened to a man who sowed good seed in
his field. 25 While everyone was asleep his
enemy came and sowed weeds all through
the wheat, and then went off. 26 When
the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds
appeared as well.
Slaves’ initiative
 27 The slaves of the householder came to
him and said, 'Master, did you not sow
good seed in your field? Where have the
weeds come from?' 28 He answered, 'An
enemy has done this.' His slaves said to
him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them
up?'
Master’s restraint
 29 He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with
them. 30 Let them grow together until
harvest; then at harvest time I will say to
the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and
tie them in bundles for burning; but gather
the wheat into my barn."'"
 In v.28, the master knows the
answer. “The enemy did it.”
 The slaves volunteer to pull
them out.
 But the master prevents them
from doing so. v.29
 The reason: not to destroy
the wheat altogether.
 In v.30, the master allows
both to grow and will take
care of them at harvest time.
 The master has a historical
patience.
 He will order the harvesters to
collect the weeds for burning
and gather the wheat into the
barn.
 The parable is about God’s
patience in allowing sinners to
thrive in his kingdom hoping
that they will change later on.

18. Reflections on the gospel reading
 God is patient with sinners.
 He does not punish them right away.
 He waits for their conversion.
 But, of course, he will not wait for ever.
 There is an end to waiting. (warning)
 We must become good seeds. (conversion)
 The kingdom of God will be fully established at
the end of time, when the evildoers will be
eliminated.

19.  In the first reading, God shows his patience
by tempering his justice with clemency.
 God is not a tyrant God.
 He shows his power by being temperate in
giving judgment.
 God is hard on those who are timid and
skeptic, but he is considerate on those whom
he finds hope (to those who will repent).

20. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading talks of God’s justice
tempered with consideration.
 The psalms talks about God’s mercy and love.
 The second reading talks about the role of
the Spirit in our prayerlife (God’s solidarity).
 The gospel reading talks of God’s patience
until the end.
We focus on God’s patience in our sharing and homilies.

21. How to develop your homily / sharing
 God is a patient God.
 God is not like us, many times impatient.
 God can wait for us to change even if it
takes a long time.

22.  In the gospel reading, God shows his
patience by allowing even the evil people
to grow side by side with the good.
 God waits until the final judgment.
 God wants sinners to change.

23.  In the second reading, God accompanies
us in our prayers.
 By ourselves, we cannot pray.
 For us, who believe in the Lord, the Spirit
prays within us.
 It patiently groans within us.
 It articulates to God what we need to
express to him.

24.  The readings invite us to conversion because:
 Though God is just, he is also compassionate, merciful
and kind.
 He has a lot of patience with sinners.
 There is no latecomer in repentance.
 God gives us all the chances and the
opportunities to change.
 Let us take advantage of this grace period now,
before the time is up.

25.  Christians must respond to God by their
personal conversion.
 Christians should not waste their time,
delaying their own conversions.
 Change of heart must be now.
 We can have a better life with God if we
respond now.
 We begin living according to the values of the
kingdom of God now.
 Let us not abuse God’s patience.

26. Let us begin to change ourselves; we manifest this by our
external behavior.
 From indolence, laziness > to diligence.
 From sowing intrigues and confusion > to being truthful
and honest in our motivations.
 From having too much time for entertainment and eating
> to a more productive activity that contributes to the
betterment of the church and society.
 From being destructive > to being constructive.
 From being ignorant > to knowledge of the word of God.
 From being sinful > to being holy.

27.  The eucharist strengthens us in our faith in
the just, merciful and patient God.
 The eucharist enhances our prayer life in the
Spirit.
 The eucharist qualifies us to belong to the
kingdom of heaven.

28. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Sowing confusion
and intrigues
 Misinformation
 Unrepentant
 Does not pray
 Good legacy
 Sense of justice
 Considerate
 Merciful and kind
 Prayerful

29. Suggested Songs
 You Are So Good
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spj_5sTiF5Y

30.  "Lord Jesus, let your word take root in
my heart and may your all-consuming
love transform my life that I may sow
what is good, worthy, and pleasing to
you."