Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 19, 2020

WIS 12:9-10  |  ROM 8:26-27, |  MT 13:24-43, or 13:24-30

Scripture

The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field….The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast…

Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Roosevelt and the One Word

• Eleanor is recognized for 11 years as the most influential and beloved
• Frank interviews and asks Eleanor for her most important word for his 20 million viewers
• The word is HOPE
• People she has met who struggle, seem to have hope
• Eleanor asks Frank for the words to his famous song, High Hopes

“Next time you’re found, with your chin on the ground
There’s a lot to be learned, so look around
Just what makes that little old ant
Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can’t
Move a rubber tree plant.
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes
He’s got high apple pie, in the sky hopes
So any time you’re gettin’ low
‘stead of lettin’ go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant
When troubles call, and your back’s to the wall
There’s a lot to be learned, that wall could fall
…All problems are just a toy balloon
They’ll be bursted soon
They’re just bound to go pop
Oops there goes another problem kerplop.

The Teaching and Preaching of Jesus, What He Shared the Most

• The Kingdom of God, The Kingdom of Heaven, The Reign of God
• It is more  than a destination  we reach
• It is in our midst-peace, justice, forgiveness, joy breaks through every now and then
• It is here but not fully here

The Kingdom of God is About Hope

• Hope is a theological virtue that assures things can get better if we contribute
• Our hearts are like a garden made up of weeds and wheat
• But God is patient

Hope says there is Always Something to Celebrate

• Hope says that through honesty a change can come
• Hope says if our hearts are touched, a change can come
• Hope says if we let our heart guide our hands and voices, a change can come
• Hope says with God’s help, we can confront racism in our country

Jesus Understands Our Reality

• We can be good and we can be sinful
• He does not want to beat us up about our weaknesses
• He wants to give us time for our conversion
• He wants his Kingdom to shine more brightly in our midst

The Kingdom of God

• Starts out small like that tiny mustard seed or pinch of yeast
• Seeds of justice and forgiveness planted in many hearts can bring forth a giant shrub
• The pinch of yeast can  transform a lump of dough into a fully raised loaf of bread

The Weeds will Never Overtake the Wheat-Have Hope

• Open our hearts
• Let Jesus plant seeds

Questions for Reflection

• What impacted you from today’s Scriptures and/or homily?
• How hopeful are you feeling during this time?
• What seeds might you need planted in your heart so you can help let the Kingdom shine through?

Live Connected

• In the week ahead, plant some hope statements in conversations with others