Today’s Gospel is Part 2 of a three-part focus on Matthew chapter 13 – the central teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God by way of parables. The Jesuit Scripture scholar Father Daniel Harrington described a parable as “a narrative taken from nature or everyday life that is somehow unusual or surprising and points to another (higher) level.” Through these vivid stories, Jesus invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s Kingdom.
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 smallest of seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. . .
The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened. . .
Last Sunday, the Gospel focused on planting the seeds of the Kingdom. This Sunday, the focus is on growth. The parables remind us that doing God’s work is not without challenges. As Jesus explains, there will always be those who try to sabotage what God is doing. The Church itself is a mixed body that includes both saints and sinners: the wheat and the weeds growing side by side.
Yet the presence of weeds does not prevent the wheat from growing. No matter how small our efforts may seem, God’s Kingdom continues to flourish. That is where the yeast comes in.
The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom helps us understand this more clearly. Addressing God, the sacred author writes:
There is no god besides you who have care of all. . . For your might is the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. . . And you taught your people by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope.
God’s patient and loving presence is the leaven that allows the Kingdom to grow. The Second Reading expands on this teaching. Saint Paul writes:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. . . because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.
It is the Holy Spirit who leavens our efforts at building the Kingdom of God. The Spirit works within us even when our faith feels small, our prayers seem inadequate, or our efforts appear insignificant. And the Spirit remains with us even when we encounter opposition or discouragement along the way.
The growth of God's Kingdom pertains not only to its growth in numbers, but also to the growth of that tiny seed planted within each of our hearts. Our capacity to grow in God's love has no limits if we allow the Holy Spirit to shape and transform us.
Like yeast hidden within the dough and a seed buried deep within the earth, the Spirit is at work even when we cannot see it. God's Kingdom grows quietly, heart by heart and act by act, until in God's time the harvest reveals what the Spirit has been nurturing all along. Now that's Good News!
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Entrance Antiphon See, I Have God for My Help (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #145
God’s Kingdom grows within us! “See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul.”
Entrance Chant Table of Plenty (Dan Schutte)
Spirit & Song #233; Never Too Young #75; Breaking Bread #312
Verse 1 is so “in tune” with today’s Gospel parable: “O come and sit at my table where saints and sinners are friends…”
Responsorial Psalm Lord, You Are Good and Forgiving (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 250
Tom Booth’s verbatim setting of Psalm 86 sings in praise of God’s mercy – the yeast that leavens the Kingdom.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 252
This acclamation verse once again inspires us to listen to God’s word with the innocence and openness of a child.
Preparation of the Gifts The House that Love Is Building (Sarah Hart)
Breaking Bread #319
“In the garden Love is tending there’s a great and boundless feast, where the seeds of hope are planted, and the yield is heaven’s peace.” This text from Verse 2 underscores the teaching of today’s readings.
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion Antiphon Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock [Option 2] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #147
This antiphon text from Revelation 3 is a call to open the door and welcome the Lord into our hearts.
Communion Chant You Stand Knocking (Tom Booth)
The prescribed antiphons often offer ideas for related songs that we can sing at the processions of the liturgy. Tom Booth’s “You Stand Knocking” follows up on the invitation of the Communion Antiphon: “You stand knocking at the door, offering all I’m hoping for.” You can find the sheet music at the link above.
Sending Forth Our God Is Good (Josh Blakesley and Cooper Ray)
Spirit & Song #227; Never Too Young #103
An energetic song that sends us forth from this Eucharist to proclaim that “His Kingdom lives on and on and on!”
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.