Question of the Week, July 19,2020, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:24-43) gives us many glimpses: a man who sowed good seed in his field, a mustard seed—the smallest of all seeds—that a person sowed in a field, and yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour. Jesus offers these examples in the form of parables, stories rich with symbols that ordinary folks like me can understand.
Coming through months of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, how would we answer the question today? What symbols would we use? I chuckle at the memory of going to the grocery and finding that the aisle with flour and yeast was totally empty—could it be that the kingdom of heaven is like a family baking together and sharing their bread with others? I recall being moved by the 7 PM ritual in New York City—the cheers, the clanging of pots, and even Broadway singers on their balconies. Could it be that the kingdom of heaven is like the encouragement that surrounded healthcare workers and first responders at the ends of their shifts? And who can forget the nationwide 3 PM playing of “Taps” this Memorial Day, in honor of fallen heroes and those who continue to serve our country? Is the kingdom of heaven like the twenty notes of that song, calling us to remember, and bringing us to tears?
The challenge of today’s Gospel is to not let the weeds of apathy, self-centeredness, and indifference overtake the signs and symbols of the kingdom of heaven we have seen in our midst. And the invitation to bake, to encourage, to remember, and to love.
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on the topics of prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. In addition, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.
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Praying the Scriptures
Catechists, religion teachers, and parents will find a wealth of resources designed to help them lead others in learning and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures in the classroom and in the home. Classroom Sessions provide catechists and religion teachers with background on the Sunday readings as well as classroom session plans for primary, intermediate, and junior high students. Questions of the Week for adults and children, in English and in Spanish, are perfect for use in parish bulletins or school newsletters, and as faith-sharing discussion starters about the Sunday readings. A liturgical year calendar is also offered for ease of reference.