21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23: I place the key to the House of David on his shoulder.

II Reading: Romans 11:33-36: All that exists come from him; all is by him and for him.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23: You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

The Messiah’s Dramatic Revelation of Himself and His Church:

Peter’s Great Confession, Mt 16:13-20

Jesus asks two questions: One is for the people, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Then he asks his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Simon son of Jonah confesses, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” This is the true identity of Jesus Christ sharing God's divine nature revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3). Hence Jesus becomes the true God himself who is the God of the living and the dead.

Jesus reveals his Divine revelation and teaches his disciples and builds His Church on Peter’s great confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah or Christ, the Son of the living God as against the false gods and goddesses.  Jesus Christ versus Caesarea Philippi/Caesar Augustus.

Peter received a new name, as Abram became Abraham, no longer Simon bar Jonah, but Peter the Rock, for such was the meaning of his new name. Isaiah placed the “key of the House of David” on the shoulder of his appointee; in a similar way, our Lord denoted Peter’s future authority.

1. Jesus Christ was in the area of Caesarea Philippi (v.13)

2. This confession is not the confession of the world (v.13-14)

a. The first critical question

b. The false confessions

3. This confession declares one’s trust in Christ (v.15-16)

a. The second critical question, v.15

b. The true confession: a person's confession in Jesus Christ

4. This confession is revealed by God alone (v.17)

5. This confession is the foundation of the Church (v.18)

a. Fact 1: His Church

b. Fact 2: He builds

c. Fact 3: He protects

6. This confession assigns excellent responsibility to believers for the Church (v.19)

a. A resp. to use the keys to the kingdom of heaven

b. A resp. to bind and loose on earth

7. This confession must be understood before being shared with others (v.20)

Thought: The church is the church of Jesus Christ and he said, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Note the exact words spoken by Jesus Christ:

1. “My church.” The church is Christ’s not human’s.

2. “I will build.” Christ builds the church.

3. “The gates of Hades will not cover come it.” Christ himself protects the church.

The true church is universal. It comprises all who genuinely confess Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. If God is living, then Christ is living. He is, therefore, “My God and my Lord.”

Two things are essential before a believer can effectively proclaim the gospel.

1. He/she must understand the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4).

2. He/she must be filled with the Spirit of God (Acts 1:8).

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 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: Isaiah 56:1.6-7: I will bring foreigners to my holy mountain.

II Reading: Romans 11:13-15.29-32: With Israel, God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28: Woman, you have great faith.

The Messiah Teaches What It Takes to Receive Things from God

In this passage, we see the persistent faith with humility of a Canaanite woman and the mercy of Jesus. Canaanites were not just ordinary enemies but ancestral enemies of the Jews.

We heard in the readings the work of God to save humankind. The fullness of salvation came to human beings through Jesus Christ. We are saved because of God’s mercy and love. It is an incomprehensible mystery that anyone should reject the salvation which God offers.

Let us look at how Jesus took to lead the Canaanite woman to faith in himself. Jesus knew very much of her heart and knew exactly what was needed to lead her to personal faith in him. At first, the woman saw Jesus only as the Son of David, a great miracle worker to liberate people from their ills and problems whether national or personal. She needed to grow in her concept of Christ. She learnt step by step that Jesus is the Lord who is to be worshipped (v.25). He is the Master of all lives (or dogs, v.26-27), and a person must persist and demonstrate humility in seeking him.

1. Jesus withdrew to Gentile religions (v.21-22)

a. The border of Tyre and Sidon

b. A desperate woman approached Jesus

2. A cry of need (v.22)

a. She cried for mercy

b. She cried to the Son of David

c. She cried for another –for her daughter

3. A persistence that would not quit (v.23-24)

a. Despite Jesus’ silence

b. Despite the objection of the disciples

c. Despite being undeserving

4. A spirit that worshipped Jesus as Lord (v.25)

5. A spirit of humility and surrender (v.26-27)

a. The need to learn humility

b. The confession of humility: she accepted Jesus’ verdict of her

6. A great faith (v.28)

a. Jesus’ climactic commendation: “You have great faith”

b. Jesus’ climactic reward: granted her request/wish for healing of her daughter

Thought: There is a difference in the way people seek Jesus and pray.

1. Some people pray that God might hear. There is no complete faith in God.

2. Some people pray with persistence or perseverance constantly with a desperate heart and humility without any doubt in God. This Canaanite woman knew Jesus was her only hope, so she would not quit. She would not be discouraged by anything-not by silence or an objection or by an apparent rebuff.

What is great faith? The steps taken by this woman tell us:

1) It is a desperate cry of need (v.22)

2) It is a persistence that will not quit (v.23-24)

3) It is a spirit that worships Jesus as the Lord (v.25)

4) It is a spirit of humility and surrenders to the Lord (v.26-27)

5) It is a faith that receives its request (v.28).

There are only two individuals whose faith Jesus pronounced great: this woman and the centurion. It is worth noting that both are Gentiles (Mt 8:10). We need the way of desperately seeking Jesus’ help.

Let us all trust in Jesus Christ our Saviour; whose only work is to save us. The greater our trust in him, the greater the wonders he will work in our favour.

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19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: 1Kings 19:9.11-13: Stand on the mountain before the Lord.

II Reading: Romans 9:1-5: I would willingly be condemned if it could help my brothers.

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36: Tell me to come to you across the water.

The Messiah’s Power to Calm a Storm: The Power of His Presence

 

Jesus walks on the water and comforts his disciples in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves and storms. Jesus went to the mountain to be alone to pray, to escape from the crowd and to get some rest and he wanted to disperse the crowd to avoid a messianic uproar (John 6:15).

Jesus didn’t come to the disciples to trouble them or make them afraid but immediately he spoke to them these comforting words, “Courage! don’t be afraid. it is I.” Jesus revealed himself to his disciples as God answered to Moses, “I will be with you, and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent you” (Exodus 3:6-12).

The Lord’s presence makes all the difference in the world. Jesus assured the disciples that he was no ghost. The passage ends with the disciples’ recognition of the divine Sonship of Jesus. Faith means to put our trust in the power of God and in His goodness.

1. Christ presence is assured by personal preparation (v.22-23)

a. He sent the disciples away

b. He dismissed the crowd

c. He got alone to pray

          1) On a mountain

          2) In the evening

          3) All alone

          4) In a storm

2. Christ’s presence conquers fear ( v.24-27)

a. A storm arose

b. Jesus went to them: He walked on the see

c. The disciples feared, thinking they saw a ghost

d. Jesus gave assurance-His presence

3. Christ’s presence stirs the hope of being saved (v.28-31)

a. Peter’s hope was stirred: He could be saved by Christ presence

b. Jesus’ command: come

c. Peter’s faith faltered

1) Glanced at storm

          2) Begin to sink

          3) Cried: Lord, save

d. Jesus saved, but rebuked faltering faith

4. Christ’s presence conquers nature (v.32)

5. Christ’s presence stirs confession and worship (v.33)

Thought: The Lord’s presence is the answer to the storms of life-to all distressed spirits (1Pet 1:5; 2Tim 5:18).

Elijah, Peter and Paul put their trust in God; they never repented of having done so.

The enemy of faith is self-reliance. We must be grateful to God for allowing trials to come to us; they help us get convinced of our powerlessness. Our trust in Christ grows day after day. Only Jesus Christ can steer the boat of our existence to the place where we go: heaven and we shall have eternal life.

Thought: A person must open his or her heart immediately when Jesus comes.

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 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

FEAST, 6 AUGUST

Gospel: Luke 9:28-36: As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed.

The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Heaven’s Glory, Mk 9:2-13

The purpose of the transfiguration was to reveal heaven’s glory would strengthen Jesus to bear the cross and strengthen the disciples in their belief that Jesus was God’s Messiah (Mk 9:2-13; Mt 17:1-13; Lk 9:28-36). A close study of the transfiguration will strengthen the faith of any believer in his Lord. A Strengthened faith will enable the believer to bear the cross of his own call.

1.    Jesus took three disciples all alone up a high mountain (v.2)

2.    The transfiguration strengthened Jesus (2-4)

a.    His transfiguration: his clothing began to shine

b.    His companions: talked with Jesus

i.                The Great Prophet

ii.              The Great of Lawgiver

3.    The transfiguration strengthened the disciples (5-7)

a.    Helped their shattered faith

b.    Gave them a taste of glory

c.     Struck them with awesome fear

d.    Made them witnesses of God’s approval

4.    The transfiguration gave a unique opportunity to discuss God’s Messiahship (8-13)

a.    Jesus charged the disciples to tell no man about the experience until after his resurrection

b.    The disciples discussed the resurrection: Why must Elijah come first?

c.     Jesus corrected the disciples

i.                Elijah was to come first

ii.              Scriptures also said that Messiah was to die

iii.               Elijah had already come: He was John the Baptist

Thought: The believer must often get alone with Christ in order to have his strength renewed. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God. Belief in Him is absolutely essential (1Jn 5:1).

1. Faith in Christ is a source of strength in our Christian life.

2. Faith in Christ is the light of our life.

3. Faith in Christ brings joy to our life.

We receive strength from God during the time of suffering, temptations, persecution and rejection when we pray daily like Jesus prayed on the mountain.

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 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

 

I Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3: Come and eat.

II Reading: Romans 8:35.37-39: No created thing can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ.

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. He handed the loaves to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted.

The Messiah’s Power to Feed Five Thousand: The Essentials for Ministry

The great compassion of Jesus for the multitude moved him to heal the sick and to teach them (Mk 6:34). His glorious compassion for the demanding crows was remarkable. Jesus left the place soon after the beheading of John the Baptist to a lonely place for peace, safety and security; instead he found a vast crowd eagerly demanding what he could give.

Jesus and the disciples could have made many legitimate excuses. “This is not the right place.” “This is not the right time.” “The people can take care of themselves.” Yet Jesus had compassion on them. his compassion was great to work miracles of mercy among them.

The multitudes followed Jesus on foot from the cities because they were like sheep without a shepherd and they were hungry spiritually to listen to the Word of God. Though both the religious and the political leaders opposed Jesus, he was still popular with the multitudes.

Jesus said to his disciples, “You give them something to eat”: With this, Jesus challenged both the compassion and the faith of the disciples.

What Jesus said is profound: “Bring them (your human resources) here to me” (v.18). what would happen if people would bring their human resources to Christ? The resources would become wonderfully multiplied, and the world’s needs would be met.

There is nothing in Jesus that would make you want to go away.

What is most important is seeing people and having compassion, accepting one’s duty to minister and trusting Jesus Christ to use one’s resources.

The command of Jesus in today’s message is to “Give.” The giving implies the sacrificial love for the poor and needy without any expectations. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life (Jn 3: 16).

How do we have the generous hearts and minds to give our care, time, energy, financial support, knowledge, wisdom, counselling etc to the poor and needy?

Do we come to Jesus as the multitudes followed him from the cities to listen to him?

Do we feel hungry for the Word of God or the material things of the world?

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1. Essential 1: Seeing people and having compassion (v.15)

a. Christ’s example, v. 14

          1) Seeing the crowds

          2) Feeling compassion

b. The disciples concern: only human concern

2. Essential 2: Accepting one’s duty to minister (v.16-17)

a. Christ’s charge: Give

b. The disciples’ humanism: resources are inadequate

3. Essential 3: Trusting Christ to use one’s resources (v.18-21)

a. The disciples’ duty: To bring the resources to Christ

b. Jesus’ example

          1) Taking resources

          2) Thanking God

          3) Using resources

c. The disciples part

1) To share

2) To save and be thrifty

3) To observe and witness Christ’s power, His Messiahship

Thought: The command of Christ is to everyone: “Give.”

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 SUNDAY- 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

 

I Reading: 1 Kings 3:5.7-12: You have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself.

II Reading: Romans 8:228-30: God intended us to become true images of his Son.

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46: He sells everything he owns and buys the field.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure: Giving up all for Christ, 13:44

There are two interpretations of this parable.

1. Some say that Jesus Christ is the man (cp.24,37-38) and the treasure in the field represents potential believers who are in the world. In this interpretation, Jesus sees the treasure of people in the world, and seeing them he does four things:

a. He hides the Treasure (Jn 10:14-16,27-30)

b. He goes: He comes to the world (Lk 19:10, Jn 316-17; 10:10;18:37,1Tim1:15)

c. He sells all: He gives up heaven in all its glory and splendour (Lk 2:7;22:37; 2Cor 8:9; Phil 2:7-8)

d. He buys: He pays the ultimate price. He gives his life for the life of people (Rom 5:8; 1Cor 15:3-4; Gal 1:4; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18)

e. He joys: He envisions the glorious day when all his treasure shall be possessed by him (Heb 12:2).

2. Others say the treasure is the gospel of Christ, the gospel of the Messiah who is ever so precious. A man sees the gospel, the saving message of Christ, as never before; that is, he understands the immense treasure of salvation.

a. He hides the treasure: he tucks it away in his heart, protecting it, not letting it loose. He seeks and continues to seek the truth of Christ.

b. He goes: approaches Jesus Christ and makes a decision.

c. He sells all: repents and turns from his former life to God.

d. He buys: commits all and gives all to possess the treasure of salvation.

e. He joys: experiences the completeness and satisfaction of the treasure and envisions and hopes for more and more, eternally.

Either interpretation fits what is said, and we are probably safe in saying that neither one exhausts the meaning.

The Parable of the Merchant Man and the Pearl of Great Price:

Giving up all for Christ, Mt 13:45-46

The point of this parable is the same as the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. Some say the merchant man is Jesus Christ. Some say the merchant man represents people who seek after truth (pearls).

1. He seeks pearls (v.45)

a. Seeks many pears

b. Seeks fine pearls

2. He finds a priceless pearl (v.46)

a. He goes

b. He sells all he has

c. He buys the pearls

Thought: People seek truth and life in such things as philosophy, science, technology, wealth, fame, sensation, art, music, literature and religion. But there is only one pearl that is priceless and worth more than the world itself-the pearl of Jesus Christ Himself (1Cor 2:3; 2:8-10). Acts 4:12; 1Cor 3:11; Phil 3:8; Col 1:19;2:3,10

 

Matthew 13:47-53: They collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use.

The Parable of the Dragnet: Separating the Bad from the Good, 13:47-50

The net is the kingdom of Heaven and the gospel is the message of the kingdom. The sea is the world in all the depth of its darkness and its unknown. The fishermen represent Christ and His followers.

1. The parable describes the kingdom (v.47)

2. A net is cast into the sea (v.47-48)

a. It generates every kind

b. It is drawn when it is full

c. The good are gathered into containers

d. The bad are cast out

3. The parable is a symbol of the world’s end (v.49-50)

a. Angels come forth

b. Purpose: Separate the wicket from the righteous

          1) To cast into fire

          2) Result: Weeping and gnashing

The Parable of the Householder: Devotion, Study and Sharing, 13:51-52

This parable teaches a strong truth: the true disciples of Christ had the same privilege and responsibility as teachers and householders. They were unusually blessed. Throughout their lives, they had been instructed in the old counsel, but now they had been taught by Jesus Christ, the Messiah himself. They now knew the new counsel of God. Thus, they were to be responsible disciples and share the whole counsel of God, both the old and the new.

Jesus was charging the disciples to share what they had learned from old Truth (OT) and the new Truth (NT).

Thought: God invites everyone to enter into his kingdom, but not everyone accepts the invitation.

Jesus is the perfect copy of the Father. So let us enter as God’s children into God’s Kingdom by sharing God’s love and Jesus’ life, the life in the Spirit.

The disciple is like the head of a household. The disciple possess an enormous treasure: the Old Testament and the New Testament (Rom 15:4; 1Cor 10:11; Jn 1:17-18; 14:6; Ps 119:142; Rom 8:3; Heb 8:6, 9:14-15; Mt 5:17)

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 SUNDAY- 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

 

I Reading: Wisdom 12:13.16-19: After sin you will grant repentance.

II Reading: Romans 8:26-27: The Spirit expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words.

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43: Let them both grow till the harvest.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds:

The Question of Evil, Why It Exists

Some of human’s basic questions about the  presence of evil in the world and judging others are covered in this parable. It is a parable that has come very practical answers and lessons for people.

1. There are both good and evil people in this world and in the kingdom of Heaven (v.24-26)

2. Christ sows the righteous; the devil sows the wicked (v.24-25)

3. People question why there is evil in the world and in the kingdom (Church). Did God plant the evil as well as the good (v.27-28)?

4. People are not to judge who the wheat and weeds, the good and bad, are. Why? Because it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the good and bad, and some of the good might be rooted up (v.29)

5. A day of harvest and of judgement is coming (v.29-30)

6. God alone has the wisdom to judge correctly (v.29-30)

Thought: Where do the weeds come from? An enemy sows them. Weeds will be bounded and burned whereas wheat will be gathered into the owner’s barn.

The devil is a sworn enemy to Christ, to the world, and to all good.

 

Matthew 13:31-35: A mustard seed becomes a tree so that the birds of the air shelter in its branches.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed:

The Growth and Greatness of Christianity, Mt 13:31-32

Jesus is describing the growth and greatness of His kingdom and of Christianity in this parable. He shows how it begins as the smallest of seeds and grows into the greatest of movements. The message of the parable is a powerful message to individual believers and congregations as well as to Christianity as a whole. The seed of faith begins ever so small, but it grows into the greatest of bushes as it nourishes itself day by day. Mature (grown v.32) believers and congregations alike provide lodging for the people of a turbulent world.

1. The parable: Describes the kingdom (Christianity) (v.31)

2. A mustard seed was planted (v.31)

a. A man deliberately took and planted the seed

b. Planted in his field

3. The mustard seed grew and became the greatest of bushes (v.32)

a. Was the smallest seed

b. Grew into the greatest of bushes

c. Result: Birds come and lodge in its branches

Mt 13: 33: The Parable of the  Leaven or Yeast:

The Transforming Power of the Gospel

There are essentially two interpretations of this parable.

1. Some say the leaven represents evil that penetrates the kingdom of God and His church.

2. Most say the yeast symbolizes the kingdom of God that penetrates and works silently to transform people and society.

The Messiah’s Purpose for Speaking in Parables, Mt 13:34-35

See outline and notes-Mt 13:10-17 for a full discussion of the “Messiah’s Reasons for speaking in Parables.” The secret  of the  gospel must be revealed (v.34-35). See Eph 1:9-10.

1. To reach the crowd

2. To teach “these things” the Truth

3. To fulfil scripture

4. To reveal the mystery of the Gospel

Thought: The Gospel is extremely powerful (1Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9).

 

Matthew 13:36-43: Just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time.

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds Explained

This passage is the interpretation of the Wheat and Weeds (Mt 13:24-30).

1. The parable explained

a. Jesus was alone with his disciples

b. The disciples asked the meaning of the parable

2. The good seed

a. The sower: The Son of Man

b. The field: The world

c. The seed: The children of the kingdom

3. The bad seed

a. The seed: The children of the devil

b. The sower: The devil

4. The harvest

a. The day: The end of the world

b. The reapers: Angels

5. The reaping of the weeds

a. Symbolizing judgement

b. When: In the end of the world

c. Executed by angels

d. Who: Those in the kingdom

          1) who offend others

          2) who are lawless

e. The judgement: Fire and weeping

6. The reaping of the wheat

a. Identity: The righteous

b. Position: Glory in the kingdom

7. The strong call

Thought: Jesus goes on establishing his kingdom on earth in a humble way, yet, not a sing person will be left uninvited to join it. God’s kingdom grows steadily among his messengers and the people. The Gospel has changed the hearts of millions of people around the world. There is a battle going on between the kingdom of Jesus and the kingdom of the devil but Jesus Christ comes out victorious. God is patient with the wicked; so has he been with us.

The evil came out of the misuse of freedom and disobedience to God’s commandments.

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