31 July 2012 Tuesday

I smile

 

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” – Matthew 13:43

 

I was very playful and outgoing as a kid. Being so, I devised a way to pick which kids to befriend when I was in elementary school. I would observe those who talked and laughed a lot and readily conclude that they were the best friends for me because they “shone.”

But as I grew up, I learned that not “all that glitters is gold.” Those who smile at and laugh with me aren’t necessarily the ones who turn out to be my best friends. Presently, I reckon most of my best friends are those whom I met when things were going downhill in my life. They were there to cry with me. The brilliance of their character shone ever brighter during those trying times in life.

At 36, I have gained the wisdom that God sees me shine even during my darkest hours. I’m not worried about people judging me just because I don’t always “shine” when I’m in a crowd. I believe that God sees through my heart, and with that thought, I smile. Eugene Cailao (eugenecailao@gmail.com)

31

REFLECTION:

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” (Unknown)

 

Lord, You are the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. Let me be that kind of friend to others, too.

 

St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest, pray for us.

 

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1^ST READING  

 

Metaphorically, God weeps tears of sadness over our sins and incorrigibility when it comes to our refusal to fight sin in our lives. It is up to us to decide whether or not we are serious about following His call. If we want God and the Holy Spirit to make a difference in our lives then it will be up to us to decide whether we are committed to those goals. God is not really interested in working closely with those who are not committed to Him.

 

Jeremiah 14:17-22

17 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. 21 For your name’s sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. 22 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.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13

R: For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

It is difficult to weed among certain plants especially if the root systems of the weeds and the plant get entangled under the ground. The only solution is to allow the weed to grow alongside the wheat and separate the two at harvest. This may not be the ideal solution but sometimes it is the only practical one. The same can be true with the way evil and sin gets into the fabric of our lives as disciples of Jesus.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.

 

Matthew 13:36-43

36 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.” 37 He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 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. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

 

think: God is not really interested in working closely with those who are not committed to Him.

 

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OF STORIES AND PARABLES

 

Storytelling sessions are “in” these days in children’s museums and libraries. They invite celebrities to read the stories. Modesty aside, I must have been a good storyteller in grade school. I was asked to represent my school in a storytelling contest. I remember myself so engrossed with mastering the Legend of Tuko. But that’s another story.

Jesus, apart from being the most eloquent preacher who ever lived in this world, is the greatest storyteller of all time. How can He captivate such huge crowds numbering thousands?

Jesus never lacked in dynamism. He was a man ahead of His age. He used parables and stories that are relevant to His listeners. They understood very well the culture of farming and sowing, of baking and shepherding sheep, or storing goods and burning the rejects.

And the Apostles would receive more. He would explain to them the meaning of the parables. He talked about their life and destiny. Jesus also talked about His life. In explaining to the Apostles the parable of the weeds, He referred to the sower as Himself, the Son of Man. The devil is the enemy who placed the weeds. The harvest is the end-time when the weeds will be thrown into the fiery furnace and the good harvest, the wheat, will be gathered by the angels.

The Apostles may have listened to Jesus’ explanation with the enthusiasm of little children. Jesus explained to them everything. He inspired them to seek God’s salvation by remaining the good seeds that they were, to soar high literally to the heavens and be one with God forever.

They listened to Him intently because they must also tell and retell the story of Jesus and everything that He preached. They would actually do it when the Lord has returned to the Father and they start building the Kingdom of God here on earth. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they did it with so much passion and dedication. They had Jesus, the greatest storyteller and explainer, as their inspiration. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, SFO

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you tell and retell the story of Jesus to others?

 

Lord, cleanse my heart that my mouth may speak about You and You alone.