Saturday of the 16th week in the ordinary time
Theme: A call to repentance
In the 1st reading of today, we see the prophet Jeremiah admonishing the people of Israel about their way of life that was not pleasing to God. They were living a carefree life and have lost the sense of the sacred. So the prophet Jeremiah who was the mouth piece of God was speaking to the people and pointing out what their actions was doing to them as a people and also the position of God about the way of life they have chosen. The emphasis from the prophet Jeremiah is a call to repentance. He is encouraging the people to retrace their steps and turn away from the path they have chosen, which is not pleasing to God.
In the same way my brothers and sisters in Christ, todays 1st reading is also talking to you and I as the children of God. This is because the actions of the Israelites, is not really different from what is obtainable in our society today. Our faithfulness to God in any situation we find ourselves in life is very important. This is because we cannot be doing all the things that are contrary to our faith as enumerated in the 1st reading and also come to worship God as if all is well. The Lord is saying to us today that we have to retrace our steps and be true to the God we worship.
In the gospel reading of today, Jesus gave a parable and said the kingdom of God may be compared to a man who sowed good seed, but the enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. The householder was not in haste to dispose of the weed, lest some wheat may also be destroyed. In the same way, God is very patient with us, and he continues to give us the opportunity to repent of our faults and return back to him. A good example of the patience of God is seen in the 1st reading of today from the prophet Jeremiah. He continues to guide and admonish is to retrace our steps and return back to the path that will lead us to life eternal. Never take the mercy and patience fore-granted at any point in your life. Today listen to the voice of God and harden not your heart. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.