Saturday of the 16^th week in ordinary time

Ex. 24: 3-8     Mat. 13:24-30

Theme: An invitation to holiness

Today the church celebrates the memorial of Saints Joachim and Ann, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we celebrate them today, it is a reminder to all of us as children of God to embrace holiness of life. This is one of the things that one would want to emulate from their lives. This stems from the fact that you cannot give what you do not have. Remember that they are the parents of our mother Mary. Holiness is an attribute we will continue to work for in our daily lives as children of God. We celebrate saints Joachim and Ann today because of the good life of faith they lived. Interestingly, they were lay people and husband and wife. So, what matters most in our call to discipleship is the good life of faith that we live as children of God, whether we are lay people or consecrated men and women. Today’s celebration is an invitation to a life of holiness and righteousness.

In the gospel reading of today from St. Mathew, we see how God can be patient with us in the parable of good seeds and the weed. This points out the fact that God provided everything that is good, and the devil came and planted the weeds that represents evil in the world. So, we see the co-existence of good and evil in the world. God is patient with us, and he gives us the opportunity to repent and return to the right path. We are all encouraged today to make honest and sincere effort to embrace the path that will lead us to everlasting life, at the end of our earthly pilgrimage.

In the 1^st reading of today from the Book of Exodus, we see how God went into a covenant with the people of Israel, and they promised to abide by the covenant. Interestingly the people never kept their covenant with God, but God was always faithful to his own side of the covenant. Todays 1^st reading reminds us of the different covenants we may entered with God, at one time or the other in our lives. How faithful have you been to the covenant? One thing that is very clear is that God is ever faithful to his covenant with us, he never fails or disappoints us. Let us use this opportunity to resolve today to be faithful to the promises and vows we have made to God at one point or the other in our lives. Never say you cannot do it; the most important thing is to take that first step of faith and trust in Gods grace to support you. As you do this, may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.