Weeds and Wheat

Weeds and Wheat

If you have ever looked out at your backyard and felt frustrated by something growing where it does not belong, you might relate more to this week's Gospel than you expected. In this episode of In Another Voice, Dawn Maier draws on her own experience battling overgrown plants and encroaching shrubs to open up the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat from Matthew's Gospel. As part of what scripture scholars call the Sermon of Parables, this section of Matthew sits at the heart of the Gospel, and for good reason. Jesus uses deeply earthy images, weeds sabotaging a wheat field, a tiny mustard seed growing into a sprawling bush, a pinch of yeast raising sixty pounds of bread, to tell us something profound about the Kingdom of God. Dawn reflects on what these parables have to say about our everyday lives: that things seemingly insignificant can carry enormous witness, that slow and deliberate growth is happening even when we cannot see it, and that the task of sorting weeds from wheat ultimately belongs to God, not to us. The invitation this week is to be intentional about what we sow into the world, trusting that when we nurture what God has given us, it will grow into far more than we could ever fully comprehend. Listen to more episodes at holyfamilyparish.org/podcasts.

Weeds, Wheat, and the Wisdom of God: Sixteenth Weekend in Ordinary Time

In this episode of Word, World and Worship, we reflect on the readings for the Sixteenth Weekend in Ordinary Time, connecting Scripture, life, and the Eucharist. We begin in the Book of Wisdom, where God is portrayed not as a distant or dominating force, but as a mighty ruler who governs with leniency and welcomes our repentance, even when we have questioned or defied him. Paired with Psalm 86's simple refrain, "Lord, you are good and forgiving," these readings invite us to draw near to a God whose power is rooted in mercy. From Paul's letter to the Romans, we hear a beautiful and honest image of prayer: even our groaning counts. Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, meaning that even our most wordless moments of struggle can be offered to God. The Gospel of Matthew brings us three parables from chapter thirteen. Weeds grow alongside wheat, a tiny mustard seed becomes a sheltering bush, and a pinch of yeast raises an entire loaf. Together they remind us that evil is a reality of life, that small things hold great potential, and that God's kingdom quietly and powerfully grows all around us. This week, the invitation is simply to listen, throughout the Mass, the readings, the prayers, and the songs. Listen to more episodes at holyfamilyparish.org/podcasts.

The Parable of the Sower: Making Room for God's Word

What kind of soil is your heart? In this week's homily, Fr. Britto reflects on the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew, exploring how God's Word is always being offered to us, but its fruitfulness depends on how we receive it. Drawing from the prophet Isaiah and the wisdom of saints like Jerome, Benedict, and Augustine, Fr. Britto offers three practical invitations: make room for God's Word in your life, receive it and make it your own, and let it become alive in how you actually live. He reminds us that God does not demand perfection or a hundredfold return from everyone, only our sincere effort and open hearts. Along the way, Fr. Britto shares a moving story of a young priest who rode from LA to San Francisco to raise money for AIDS research, and the unexpected generosity of migrant workers who gave $2.56 in change because, as they said, "We know what it is like to suffer." As Augustine put it, "The God who made you without you cannot save you without you." This week, we are invited to cooperate with God's grace and let his Word take root. Listen to more episodes at holyfamilyparish.org/podcasts.

WWW | "Reality Is God's Medium" — 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Fr. Terry Keehan

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened. It's one of the most familiar lines in the Gospels — but what does it actually mean to take on the yoke of Christ? Fr. Terry Keehan unpacks a striking image from Matthew 11: a yoke wasn't one-size-fits-all. Farmers crafted each one to fit the animal perfectly. Christ's yoke fits us uniquely, individually — and it's an invitation into partnership, not obligation. Drawing from Zechariah 9, Romans 8, and Matthew 11, this episode explores what it means to work side by side with Christ through the ordinary and the tragic alike. Because as Fr. Terry puts it: reality is God's medium. Holy Family Parish | Inverness, IL | holyfamilyparish.org/podcasts

Welcoming the Unexpected: Hospitality, Discipleship, and the Peace of Christ | Word, World, & Worship

In this episode of Word, World, & Worship, Fr. Terry Keehan reflects on the readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, exploring the powerful themes of hospitality, radical discipleship, and transformative love. Fr. Keehan begins with the Old Testament story from 2 Kings 4, where the prophet Elisha is welcomed by a generous woman. Her hospitality leads to the unexpected gift of new life — a son for a couple long thought to be childless — echoing the story of Abraham and Sarah. He invites listeners to consider: When have you welcomed unexpected life in your own experience? The reflection continues with Psalm 89 (“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord”), a call to gratitude, and Romans 6, which presents baptism as a profound ritual of immersion into Christ’s death and rising to new life. Fr. Keehan challenges us: What do you need to be raised from right now? We are called to be dead to sin and alive for God in Christ Jesus. In the Gospel from Matthew 10, Jesus delivers a demanding message about discipleship: loving God above even family, taking up our cross, and losing our life to find it. Fr. Keehan highlights the paradox at the heart of the Christian life — thinking “against common thinking” — and the profound truth that welcoming a disciple means welcoming Christ Himself. He ties the readings together through three essential movements: * Welcoming others because we see the presence of God in them * Offering peace as the peace of Christ, especially during the Sign of Peace at Mass * Loving others through the love of God within us Fr. Keehan concludes with a beautiful vision: when the peace, welcome, and love within us become the peace, welcome, and love between us, then the God within us becomes the God between us. This episode offers rich spiritual nourishment for anyone seeking to live the Paschal mystery more deeply in daily life. Perfect for reflection, small groups, or personal prayer.