Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Mustard Seed

A Reflection for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) – July 19, 2026

 The Readings

- First Reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 – God’s sovereign power is exercised with mercy and patience, teaching us that true justice is kind and leaves room for repentance.

- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 – “Lord, you are good and forgiving…”

- Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27 – The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us with “inexpressible groanings” according to God’s will.

- Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43 (or the shorter 13:24-30) – The parables of the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the yeast.

 Themes of Patience, Mercy, and Quiet Growth

These readings paint a beautiful portrait of a God who is powerful yet patient, just yet merciful, and whose Kingdom grows in surprising, often hidden ways.

The Book of Wisdom reminds us that God’s strength is not arbitrary or harsh. Because He is master of all, He can afford to be lenient. He governs with “much lenience” and gives us hope that repentance is always possible. This sets the tone for the entire liturgy: divine power is revealed most fully not in destruction, but in mercy and the invitation to change.

The Gospel deepens this message through three parables. First, the weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30). The servants want to rip out the weeds immediately, but the master says no — doing so might damage the wheat. Let them grow together until harvest. This is a challenging teaching for anyone who longs for instant justice or a “pure” Church/community right now. Jesus explains that the final separation belongs to God and His angels at the end of time. Our job is not to play judge and executioner, but to grow as wheat in the midst of a messy field.

Then come the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. The Kingdom starts tiny and unimpressive — a seed smaller than most, a bit of yeast hidden in dough — yet it grows into something vast and life-giving. These images reassure us that God’s work often looks insignificant at first. We may feel our efforts (or the Church’s mission) are small and slow, but the Holy Spirit is at work in hidden ways, gradually transforming the world.

 Connecting the Readings

St. Paul’s words in Romans tie everything together. We are weak. We don’t even know how to pray properly. Yet the Spirit prays in us and for us. This same Spirit is the quiet force behind the mustard seed and the yeast — the gentle power that allows wheat and weeds to grow together without immediate catastrophe. God’s mercy, patience, and hidden growth are all sustained by the Holy Spirit’s intercession.

 Personal and Communal Reflection

In a world quick to cancel, polarize, and demand purity tests, today’s readings invite us to patience with others and with ourselves. Are there “weeds” in your family, parish, or workplace? In your own heart? The Lord asks us to trust the harvest time rather than rush to judgment. This doesn’t mean ignoring evil or failing to correct with charity — it means recognizing that final judgment is God’s alone.

At the same time, we are called to hopeful perseverance in small things. Your quiet prayer, acts of kindness, faithful Sunday Mass attendance, or patient parenting may feel like a mustard seed. Trust that the Kingdom is growing through them. The yeast is already working in the dough.

Finally, let the Psalm become our prayer: “Lord, you are good and forgiving… turn toward me and have pity on me.” In the Eucharist we receive today, we encounter the same merciful Master who sows good seed, waits patiently, and will one day gather His wheat into the barn.

On a personal note, today is the birthday of my late sister, who passed away. She had more faith than the size of a mustard seed. I would say even more than that.  Her faith will always be an example for my family and me.  She embodied today's Gospel. 

May the Holy Spirit, who groans within us, strengthen us to live as children of the Kingdom — patient, merciful, and full of quiet hope — until the day when the righteous shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.

Celebrating Birthdays: A Joyful Reminder of God’s Gift of Life

Celebrating Birthdays: A Joyful Reminder of God’s Gift of Life

Birthdays are more than just an excuse to indulge in cake, unwrap presents, or blow out candles. They’re a yearly milestone—a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the incredible gift of life that God has given us. In a world that often feels rushed and chaotic, birthdays offer a sacred opportunity to give thanks for the breath in our lungs and the purpose woven into our existence.

A Day to Give Thanks

Every birthday marks the anniversary of the day we entered the world, a unique moment when God breathed life into us. The Bible reminds us in Psalm 139:13-14, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Our lives are no accident—they’re a deliberate act of divine love and creativity. Celebrating a birthday isn’t just about honoring ourselves; it’s about praising the One who made us.

When we gather with friends and family, share laughter, and recount memories, we’re doing more than marking another trip around the sun. We’re acknowledging the goodness of a God who sustains us through every season. Whether it’s a child’s first birthday or a grandparent’s 90th, each celebration echoes gratitude for the gift of time and the miracle of existence.

Life’s Fragility and Beauty

Birthdays also remind us of life’s fragility. James 4:14 says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This might sound somber, but it’s a call to cherish every moment. Each year we’re given is a chapter in a story God is writing—a story filled with highs and lows, lessons and joys. A birthday celebration becomes a defiant act of hope, a way to say, “I’m still here, and I’m grateful for it.”

Think about the people who won’t see another birthday this year. Their absence sharpens our appreciation for the ones we get to celebrate. It’s a humbling reminder to not take a single day—or a single person—for granted. God’s gift of life is precious, and birthdays give us a chance to savor that truth.

A Celebration with Purpose

Beyond the festivities, birthdays can also inspire us to look forward. They’re a natural time to reflect: How have I grown this year? How have I used the life God gave me? Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” As we blow out the candles, we can set intentions to live more fully in alignment with His purpose—loving others, pursuing goodness, and sharing the light we’ve been given.

For some, a birthday might mean a quiet prayer of thanks. For others, it’s a boisterous party with balloons and music. There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate, as long as the heart of it points back to the Giver of life. Even the simplest traditions—like a favorite meal or a heartfelt note—can become an offering of gratitude.

The Ultimate Gift

As Christians, birthdays also point us to the greater gift of eternal life through Jesus. John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Our earthly birthdays are just a shadow of the everlasting celebration awaiting us. They’re a taste of the joy God intends for us, both now and forever. Some sects such as the Watchtower (Jehovah's Witnesses), Pentecostals, and others do not find it favorable to celebrate birthdays. This is due to fundamentalist beliefs that are based on nonsensical and false pious views.

So, the next time you celebrate a birthday—yours or someone else’s—take a moment to see it through this lens. Amid the streamers and smiles, hear the whisper of a loving Creator who delights in you. Life is a gift, unwrapped day by day, and birthdays are our chance to say, “Thank You, God, for another year.”

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Happy Birthday Pope Benedict XVI - We Miss You!

Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, served as the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from April 19, 2005, until his resignation on February 28, 2013. His papacy was marked by a deep commitment to orthodox theology and a strong stance on authentic Catholic doctrine. 

Benedict XVI's early life in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, was shaped by the turbulent times of World War II. Despite these challenges, he pursued a path that led him to become one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. His extensive writings and teachings have left a lasting impact on the Church.

As pope, Benedict XVI was known for his intellectual depth and his efforts to address various issues facing the modern Church, including secularism and interfaith dialogue. His decision to resign, a move that had not been made by a pope for almost 600 years, was a historic moment for the Catholic Church, demonstrating his humility and concern for the welfare of the Church over personal legacy.

After his resignation, he took the title of Pope Emeritus and continued to live in the Vatican, dedicating his time to prayer and study. His 95th birthday was celebrated with reflections on his life and contributions to the Church. Despite preferring a more private life post-papacy, his influence remains significant, and his works continue to be studied by theologians and laypeople alike.

Today would have been his 97th birthday.  He passed away on 1/31/22.  Pope Benedict XVI's legacy is a testament to a life devoted to faith, scholarship, and leadership in the Catholic Church. His birthday serves as a reminder of his profound impact on the Church and the world. We all miss him, especially those of us who love the Catholic faith and want it to thrive and spread around the world converting it. 

Pope Gives Homeless Sleeping Bags

Usually on one's birthday, they enjoy cake, time with family and friends and so forth.  But if you're Pope Francis, you celebrate it by helping others.  Pope Francis gave 400 sleeping bags to Rome's homeless on his birthday as a gift to them.  He had Archbishop Krajewski, the papal almoner take groups of volunteers in minivans driven by Swiss Guards in order to distribute the sleeping bags.  The sleeping bags are of high quality and have the papal insignia on them.

According to a study, many homeless people in Rome are not in shelters and live on the streets. Since his Papacy began, Pope Francis has made it a priority to focus on the poor. He is leading by example and "walking the talk," so to speak and even is having a raffle for the poor. Others, especially so-called humanists and atheists should learn from the Holy Father. While Dawkins, the "Friendly Atheists," and others go about dividing people and promoting diatribe, one of the men who they target is focused on helping those who are in most need.

CCC 2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.242 Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.243 Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:244

Source:

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=23554

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/18/pope-francis-sleeping-bags-homeless-birthday_n_6349210.html

http://abcnews.go.com/International/pope-francis-celebrates-birthday-donating-400-sleeping-bags/story?id=27715183

http://gawker.com/cool-pope-celebrates-birthday-by-buying-homeless-people-1672690732

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francesco-francisco-francis-38152/

http://www.france24.com/en/20141218-pope-treats-homeless-new-sleeping-bags/

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/12/19/3605848/pope-francis-homeless-sleeping-bags/

Carl Sagan

Yesterday, November 9 was the birthday of one of the world's greatest scientists, Carl Edward Sagan. He was in the year 1934 and passed away on December 20, 1996 at the age of 62.  He would have been 80 today had he not died of pneumonia due to many years of suffering with myelodysplasia.

Sagan was an astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicists and astrobiologist.  He wrote over 600 scientific papers and many books. Sagan loved science and felt he had a mission to promote scientific knowledge. He contributed greatly to the studies of planets and search for extraterrestrial life. This search effort consisted of sending physical messages into space; namely the Pioneer plaque and the Voyager Golden Record. In the 1980's, he produced and narrated "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage." This show at the time was the most watch series in the history of public television.

He taught at Cornell University and also directed the Laboratory for Planetary Studies.  As a scientist, he believed strongly in the Copernican mediocrity principle which posits that human life is not unique or special in the universe. His "Pale Blue Dot" is testament to his view that the Earth is just a dot among the numerous celestial bodies.  This is a notion some atheists push today in their attempt to disqualify God as being responsible for the cosmos. Sagan was not an atheist despite many false quotes of him on the internet. He was an Agnostic and was open to the question of God. In an interview, he said:

"An atheist is someone who is certain that God does not exist, someone who has compelling evidence against the existence of God. I know of no such compelling evidence. Because God can be relegated to remote times and places and to ultimate causes, we would have to know a great deal more about the universe than we do now to be sure that no such God exists."

Earth as the "Pale Blue Dot" from the view of Voyager

In the beginning of this year, the Cosmos series was restarted with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson as the host and narrator (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2014/03/cosmos.html). Ironically, a young Tyson met Sagan and presented an autographed book in the pilot episode as he recalled the zeal and inspiration Carl Sagan exhibited. I personally own books by Sagan and they are wonderfully written and truly knowledgeable in the sciences.



Happy birthday Carl Sagan, rest in peace.  Thanks for reminding the human race that they are made of "star stuff" and are the means from which the "cosmos can know itself."

More info: http://www.carlsagan.com/