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Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Tuesday July 30, 2024

Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. When this falls on July 29, the gospel for the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is used.

  • First Reading (Cycle 1) - Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28: Moses pitched the meeting tent outside the camp for consulting the LORD. The cloud signaled God's presence. Moses spoke with God face to face, proclaiming His merciful and gracious nature. Moses sought God's favor for the people, staying with Him for forty days and nights to write the Ten Commandments.
  • First Reading (Cycle 2) - Jeremiah 14:17-22: Tears flow ceaselessly for the destruction of the people. Hunger and death prevail. God's apparent rejection raises questions. They seek peace and healing but face terror. Acknowledging sins, they implore God not to spurn them and remember the covenant. They recognize God's power as the one true source.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 103: The Lord is kind and merciful, upholding justice, and abounding in love. His forgiveness surpasses our sins, and His compassion extends to those who fear Him, reminding us to walk in His ways and extend kindness to others.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2)- Psalm 79: Lord, deliver us and forgive our sins for the sake of Your glorious name. Hear the cries of the afflicted, free the prisoners, and let us forever give thanks and praise to You, our Shepherd.
  • Gospel - Matthew 13:36-43: Jesus explains the parable of the weeds to his disciples. He reveals that the Son of Man will send his angels to separate the righteous from the evildoers, and the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father, while the evildoers will face judgment and be thrown into the fiery furnace.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

  • Jesus' Explanation of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares: The passage begins with Jesus explaining the parable of the wheat and the tares to His disciples, providing insights into its meaning.
  • The Coexistence of the Righteous and the Wicked: Jesus reiterates the coexistence of the righteous and the wicked in the world until the end of the age, illustrating the reality of good and evil existing together.
  • The Final Judgment: Jesus foretells the coming judgment when the Son of Man will send His angels to separate the wicked from the righteous, bringing justice and accountability for everyone's actions.
  • Eternal Destiny: The passage emphasizes the eternal destiny of the righteous, who will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father, and the fate of the wicked, who will be thrown into the fiery furnace.
  • God's Faithful Servants: Jesus describes the righteous as God's children and His faithful servants, demonstrating the special relationship between God and those who follow His ways.
  • The Assurance of God's Justice: The passage assures believers that God's justice will prevail in the end, rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked, and bringing ultimate resolution to the coexistence of good and evil.

He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.

Thoughts for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

In the parable of the wheat and weeds, explained by Jesus in the gospel for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:36-43), we encounter a powerful reminder of the reality of the end times. Jesus emphasizes the urgency to grow like wheat, drawing closer to the Lord and living according to His will.

As we journey through life, we are surrounded by distractions and temptations—the weeds—that can hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with God. These distractions may cause us to neglect daily prayer or delay acts of kindness and service to others. They may also lead us to seek our own glory and recognition, rather than giving glory to God.

Yet, Jesus calls us to recognize our true identity as children of the Kingdom. We are meant to flourish and bear good fruit like the wheat, remaining rooted in our relationship with God and aligned with His purposes.

To combat the weeds in our lives, we must be vigilant and intentional. We need to be aware of the distractions that may deter us from our faith and commitment to God. By prioritizing daily prayer and seeking God's guidance, we can overcome these distractions and draw closer to Him.

Living as children of the Kingdom requires a conscious effort to put God and others before ourselves. Instead of delaying acts of kindness, we must seize the opportunities to love and serve our neighbors in the present moment.

Furthermore, we must humble ourselves, recognizing that our true worth and identity come from being God's beloved children. Seeking our own glory and recognition will only lead to emptiness, while giving glory to God will bring fulfillment and purpose to our lives.

May this reflection prompt us to examine our lives and identify the weeds that hinder our growth in God's Kingdom. Let us strive to be like the wheat, drawing closer to the Lord each day and aligning our lives with His will. May we resist the distractions and temptations that surround us, and instead, embrace our true identity as children of the Kingdom, seeking to glorify God in all that we do.

Prayer for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Lord, help me to make space in my life for your word to grow in my heart. Teach me to nourish and grow what is from you. Help me to resist any desire to let the weeds of the enemy take hold in me. I cannot do it on my own. I am dependent on your mercy. Amen.

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Homilies and Reflections for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Word On Fire: Living in Hope Amidst Good and Evil

From Bishop Robert Barron for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. God's kingdom, represented by the Church, will always be a mixture of good and evil. The enemy of the Church subtly sows evil amidst the good, making vigilance necessary. However, we must be cautious not to destroy the good while trying to eliminate evil. Instead, we are called to live in hope, knowing that at harvest time, the Master will separate the good from the bad. The Church will remain a community of saints and sinners, and it is in this fallen world that we are called to hold onto hope and trust in God's final judgment.

USCCB Reflection: Nourishing the Wheat Within

In this USCCB reflection for Tuesday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time, the parable of the wheat and the weeds from Matthew's Gospel is explored. The reflection emphasizes the importance of nurturing the good wheat within ourselves and others while being aware of the weeds that also exist. Just as the landowner in the parable advises not to uproot the weeds immediately, we are encouraged to reflect on our actions and choices, making an effort to nourish the good within us and extend that nourishment to others, even in challenging situations.

Frequently Asked Questions for Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

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