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16th Sunday |
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Contents: Volume 2
1. -- Lanie LeBlanc OP - < lanie@leblanc.one>2. -- Fr. Jude Siciliano OP - <FrJude@JudeOP.org> 3. -- Elaine H. Ireland <ehireland@gmail.com>
4. --
Carmen Mele OP <cmeleop@yahoo.com>
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Blessings, Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP Southern Dominican Laity
****************************************************** From today’s letter to the Romans:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
Reflection:
This passage is a great comfort for anyone who has ever struggled to pray. Paul reminds us that prayer is not primarily our work; it is God's work within us. There are times when we cannot find the right words, when our hearts are burdened by grief, confusion, fear, or uncertainty. In those moments, the Holy Spirit does not abandon us. The Spirit prays within us, carrying to God even the deepest longings we cannot express. We are never alone in prayer. Even our silence can become a prayer when we trust the Spirit dwelling within us.
So, we ask ourselves:
• When have I found it difficult to pray or find the right words for God?• How might I trust the Holy Spirit more during times of weakness or uncertainty? • What burdens or concerns do I need to place in God's hands today?
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
Fr. Jude Siciliano OP - <FrJude@JudeOP.org>
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Elaine H. Ireland <ehireland@gmail.com>
****************************************************** 4. ****************************************************** 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, JULY 19, 2026 (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43) A year ago, a storm caused the Guadalupe River in the heart of Texas to rise nearly fifteen meters in forty-five minutes. The flood claimed the lives of 119 people, including 25 girls attending a summer camp on the riverbank. Now, amid lawsuits and accusations of negligence, the victims' relatives are undoubtedly asking, "Why does God allow such disasters?" Today's first reading and Gospel reading attempt to answer this question, often referred to as "the problem of evil." The first reading from the Book of Wisdom affirms God's justice. It says that He is just because He has the power. He can reward or punish people according to their deeds. The passage assures us that the wicked will not ultimately triumph. God's justice will defeat them while rewarding the innocent in the end. However, the Book of Wisdom does not explain why God allows evil to ruin the lives of some, even taking the lives of children. Ivan Karamazov, a character in a famous Russian novel, is consumed by the problem of evil. He memorably says that until God adequately explains why He allows evil to befall the innocent, he will deny it entry into heaven. In other words, since God allows children to suffer, he wants nothing to do with Him, not even the place in heaven that his Baptism promises him. For some, the idea that the innocent are destined for heaven and the wicked for hell does not justify the suffering, sometimes horrific, in our lives. In the Gospel, Jesus uses a parable to explain the problem of evil. He says that just as you can't cut the weeds from a field without damaging the wheat, you can't eliminate all evil without harming some good people. But at harvest time, the difference between the weeds and the wheat will become clear. Then you can cut and burn the weeds first so that only the wheat is gathered for the farmer. Once again, only at the end will justice be served, with the innocent being prosecuted and the wicked punished. Faith has another answer to the problem of evil. It focuses on the story of Jesus Christ. After performing many acts of service, he turned himself in to the authorities. Although completely innocent, he suffered the torment of crucifixion. He died like the worst of criminals, but soon after, God raised him from the dead and placed him at his right hand forever. Now, he offers us his story as the ultimate answer to our anxiety about evil. He tells us that all will be well. We have not only a promise but also the story of Jesus as proof. We must admit that there is no completely satisfactory answer to the problem of evil. Evil is a mystery beyond the grasp of the human mind. However, there remains the hope of the great reckoning at the end of time when Jesus will come to judge all. Through his resurrection from the dead, Jesus gave us a glimpse of the outcome for the innocent. Meanwhile, we can perform acts of mercy. These acts will not only alleviate some of the suffering of those who are grieving, but they also bear witness to Jesus. By taking time to comfort the afflicted and help the weak, we imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we will be demonstrating our belief that he will come to right all the wrongs of history. Carmen Mele OP <cmeleop@yahoo.com>
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A service of The Order of Preachers,
The Dominicans. (form revised 10/13/2025) |
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