First reading
Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9,28
Moses used to take the Tent and pitch it outside the camp, at some distance from the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting. Anyone who had to consult the Lord would go out to the Tent of Meeting, outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the Tent, all the people would rise. Every man would stand at the door of his tent and watch Moses until he reached the Tent; the pillar of cloud would come down and station itself at the entrance to the Tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. When they saw the pillar of cloud stationed at the entrance to the Tent, all the people would rise and bow low, each at the door of his tent. The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would turn back to the camp, but the young man who was his servant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the Tent.
And the Lord descended in the form of a cloud, and Moses stood with him there. He called on the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness; for thousands he maintains his kindness, forgives faults, transgression, sin; yet he lets nothing go unchecked, punishing the father’s fault in the sons and in the grandsons to the third and fourth generation.’ And Moses bowed down to the ground at once and worshipped. ‘If I have indeed won your favour, Lord,’ he said ‘let my Lord come with us, I beg. True, they are a headstrong people, but forgive us our faults and our sins, and adopt us as your heritage.’
Moses stayed there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, eating and drinking nothing. He inscribed on the tablets the words of the Covenant – the Ten Words. The word of the Lord!
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 102(103):6-13
Gospel
Matthew 13:36-43
Leaving the crowds, Jesus went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said, ‘Explain the parable about the darnel in the field to us.’ He said in reply, ‘The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!’ The Gospel of the Lord!
Reflections:
How does an innocent baby grow up to become a terror or disgrace to the society? How do children raised by God- fearing parents and sent to good christian schools end up becoming morally bankrupt? How do Christians who have sworn to love and follow God end up in evil shrines and ungodly places? These questions are unending but the story of Adam and Eve would probably thows more light to what Jesus teaches today: that God’s intention for the world is good but evil has entered the world and we have to live with this evil influence till the end of time.
In effect, it is important to be on guard! Be weary of anyone/anything that steers you away from God’s will. We are told to hang in there and stay on the path of good.
Jesus explains the parable about the good seed and the darnel; in other translations the good seeds are described as wheat plant while the darnel plant are tagged as weeds. Study reveals that the darnel plant is also known as ryegrass and looks very similar to wheat plant which makes it very difficult to distinguish it from the wheat crop. Unfortunately, the wheat and darnel plants are both harvested at the same time, but the darnel plant is separated for burning.
Yes, it is difficult to tell good people from evil people; but the scripture advises that out of abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and it warns us to test all spirits. Hence, be careful of the company you keep; be resolute and choose to act in accordance with the will of God – stay away from sin. Falling into sin puts man in a bad spot as man would bear the consequence of sin. There was evil influence in the Israelites camp which caused them to sin – by committing Idolatry. This is revealed in the story of the Israelites in today’s first reading; Moses is made to go through a rigorous time spending another 40 days and nights to atone for the Israelites and get the 10 commandments. This could have been avoided.
Prayer:
Father Lord I thank you for giving me life today despite my numerous sins. I worship you because you are the Lord, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness; for thousands he maintains his kindness, forgives faults, transgression, sin. Heal me today of my weakness and wickedness and help me to forgive my family, friends and neighbours that hurt me. Please forgive and heal our country of it numerous atrocities. As we look to you as our God and shepherd to lead us on. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen!
Speechless…