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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Gospel Reading 

Matthew 13:24-43

Jesus offers parables about the Kingdom of Heaven

and explains them to his disciples.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers three parables to describe the Kingdom of        Heaven.  He also explains why he speaks to the crowds in parables and          interprets the parable of the sower for the disciples. This reading is a          continuation of Jesus’ discourse that we began reading last Sunday.

All three parables use commonplace experiences to describe aspects of the  Kingdom of Heaven. The first parable is longer and more detailed than the              next two, and it alerts us to the two-fold reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. The beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven can be found in this world. The fruition            of the Kingdom of Heaven, however, will not be realized until the final judgment.          In the meantime, as Jesus’ explanation to the disciples cautions, any effort to          judge the progress of the Kingdom of Heaven is premature. Only God, in the final judgment, will distinguish the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven and offer its reward.

The second and third parables call to our attention the abundance that will result from the small beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as a mustard seed—      the smallest of all seeds—will become a large bush, so too God will bring his Kingdom to full bloom. As a small amount of yeast will leaven the entire batch          of bread, so too God will bring about the expansion of his Kingdom. In each case      the image is of the superabundance that God brings out of even the smallest of  signs of the Kingdom.

Contained within these parables are words of caution as well as words of consolation. In the parable of the sower we are warned against judging others.          To judge and uproot the “weeds” prematurely will harm the wheat; final judgment rests with God. In the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, we are consoled  by the message that God can work wonders and produce abundance from even the smallest beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Family Connection

Taken together, the parables found in today’s Gospel offer both a sobering      reminder about the Kingdom of God and words of encouragement. As the            wheat and the weeds must grow together until the harvest, so we may not            know whether our actions contribute to God’s Kingdom until God’s final          judgment. With    this word of caution in mind, we act always in prayer that                our actions will be consistent with God’s plans. In the parables of the mustard      seed and the yeast, we hear words of encouragement. God can bring the          Kingdom of Heaven from even the smallest of beginnings. Thus, we ask                    God to work through us for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Set aside some time this week to make bread with your family. Show the amount      of yeast that is required to raise an entire batch of bread. Observe that little things can go a long way. After the bread has been baked, gather together as a family.    Read together today’s Gospel, Matthew 13:24-43. Reflect together on what Jesus means when he teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed and      like yeast. In these parables, Jesus is teaching us that God can work wonders from even the smallest beginnings of the Kingdom of God. This means that even the little things that we do can make a big difference in the lives of others. What are some of the little things that we can do in our family that help to make things better for others? Decide on one action to take together. Pray that God will use your action        to make a difference in the world. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.