Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Exodus 24:3-8: Moses conveyed God’s commands, and the people pledged obedience. He built an altar, offered sacrifices, and read the covenant. The people reaffirmed their commitment, and Moses sealed it with the blood of the covenant.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 50: God calls the earth to witness His justice. He asks for sincere praise and promises rescue to those who call on Him in distress, keeping His faithful under His care.
• Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30: Jesus explains that the Kingdom of heaven is like a man who lets wheat and weeds grow together until harvest, ensuring the wheat is not harmed while the weeds are eventually destroyed.

Lectionary Reference: 400

Upcoming dates: July 26, 2025, July 24, 2027, July 28, 2029, July 26, 2031, July 23, 2033

If you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them.

Matthew 13:29

On Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we reflect on God’s covenant with His people and Jesus’ parable about wheat and weeds. These readings teach us about faithfulness, judgment, and God’s plan.

• Obedience to God: The people promised to follow God’s commands. This shows their commitment to live by His laws.
• Covenant Relationship: Moses built an altar and offered sacrifices. This symbolizes the deep bond between God and His people.
• Sacrifice and Worship: Moses’ offerings represent giving to God. Worship involves sacrifice and dedication.
• Patience and Growth: Jesus’ parable speaks about letting wheat and weeds grow together. This teaches patience as God’s plan unfolds.
• Good and Evil: The wheat represents good, and the weeds represent evil. Both exist until God’s final judgment.
• Final Judgment: The harvest time in Jesus’ story symbolizes the end times. God will separate the good from the bad.

Reflecting on these themes helps us understand our faith better. We learn about God’s expectations and His ultimate plan for humanity.

On Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings help us understand important aspects of our faith. They guide us in obedience, patience, and understanding God’s plan for judgment. Let us reflect on these themes to grow closer to God.

Obedience to God

Moses shares God’s commands with the people, and they promise to obey. This moment shows their commitment to live by God’s laws. It reminds us that following God’s will is key to our relationship with Him.

Obedience to God is not always easy. The people of Israel faced many challenges but chose to stay faithful. We are also called to trust in God’s wisdom and follow His guidance in our lives.

When we obey God, we show our love and trust in Him. It strengthens our faith and helps us grow closer to Him. Our commitment to God’s commands brings peace and purpose to our lives.

Patience and Growth

Jesus’ parable about wheat and weeds teaches us about patience. The farmer allows both to grow together until the harvest. This shows that we must wait for God’s timing in dealing with good and evil.

In our lives, we encounter both good and bad situations. Sometimes we want immediate solutions, but God’s plan requires patience. He knows the right time to act and make things right.

Trusting in God’s timing helps us grow in faith. We learn to be patient and rely on His wisdom. This patience is important as we navigate the challenges of life, knowing God is always in control.

Final Judgment

Jesus’ parable also teaches about the final judgment. At harvest time, the wheat is gathered, and the weeds are burned. This shows that God will separate the good from the bad in the end.

We live in a world where good and evil coexist. It can be confusing and challenging. But we must remember that God sees everything and will judge fairly.

The promise of final judgment gives us hope. We know that God’s justice will prevail. We must strive to live good lives and trust in His plan for the future.

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The readings for Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us about obedience, patience, and God’s final judgment. These lessons help us understand our faith better. Let us take these teachings to heart and grow closer to God.

Prayer

Lord, help us to obey Your commands, be patient in all things, and trust in Your final judgment. Guide us to live good lives and stay faithful to You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can you better commit to following God’s commands in your daily life?
• In what ways can you practice patience while waiting for God’s timing?
• How do you find peace in knowing that God will judge fairly in the end?
• What challenges do you face in staying faithful and trusting in God’s plan?

Word On Fire: Understanding the Complexity of Evil

From Bishop Robert Barron for Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. The parable of the wheat and the weeds illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the world. Evil is like a parasite, always dependent on the good it seeks to weaken.

Classical theology describes evil as a privation of the good, and this intertwining of good and evil makes it challenging to remove evil without harming the good. It is crucial to address certain obvious evils promptly and decisively. However, for other evils that are deeply embedded and intertwined with the good, a crusading approach may cause more damage. Instead, a cautious and discerning approach is necessary to deal with complex moral challenges.

What date is Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Saturday July 26, 2025.

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. For even numbered years see Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Saturday July 26, 2025 are:
First Reading – Exodus 24:3-8: The Covenant Sealed in Blood
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 50: Sacrifice and Rescue
Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30: Wheat and Weeds

Why did Moses use blood to seal the covenant in the first reading for Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Blood was used to show the seriousness of the agreement. It symbolized life and commitment between God and the people.

What is the main message of the first reading from Exodus 24:3-8?

The main message is about the covenant between God and the people of Israel. They promise to obey God’s commands, and Moses seals this promise with the blood of sacrifices.

What can we learn from the people’s response to God’s commands in Exodus 24:3-8?

We learn about the importance of obedience to God. Like the people of Israel, we should commit to following God’s guidance in our lives.

What does Jesus’ parable about wheat and weeds mean in the Gospel for Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The parable means that good and bad exist together in the world. God allows both to grow until the final judgment when He will separate the good from the bad.

How should we apply the parable of the wheat and weeds to our lives?

We should be patient and trust in God’s timing. We must strive to do good and leave the final judgment to God.

Why doesn’t God remove the weeds right away?

God waits to avoid harming the wheat. This shows His patience and care for all His creation.

What does the final judgment in Jesus’ parable teach us?

The final judgment teaches us that God will eventually make things right. Good will be rewarded, and evil will be punished.

How can we prepare for the final judgment?

We can prepare by living good lives, obeying God’s commands, and trusting in His plan. Our actions should reflect our faith and commitment to God.

How does the first reading relate to the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Both readings focus on commitment and judgment. The first reading shows the people’s commitment to God, while the Gospel explains God’s judgment in the end.

What is the key takeaway from Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The key takeaway is to obey God, be patient, and trust in His final judgment. These readings remind us of the importance of faithfulness and God’s ultimate plan for justice.