Father Matthew Wiering Podcast

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us practical instruction on how to handle conflict. We must go directly to that person (instead of going to Facebook or gossiping to other people). A closer look at the text allows us to see that Jesus is not just talking about personal conflict but what we must do when our brother or sister in Christ is struggling with sin. We have a responsibility not just for the material needs of the members of the Church but also the spiritual needs. Jesus gives us a blueprint for the responsibility we must take when a fellow Christian is living a sinful life. To "admonish the sinner" is one of the spiritual works of mercy. If we really care for one another in the Church, then we will intervene not only when the bodily needs of our members are concerned but also the spiritual needs.

Since the Church has given us two episodes having to do with the Apostle Peter the last two weeks, today we’ll reflect on this important character from the Gospel. His humanity – including his protective love for Jesus, his zeal, his impulsiveness, and his fear – makes him one of the most relatable figures in the early Church. While we see him at times trying to avoid suffering for himself or his master, at the end of his life, and now filled with the Pentecost gift of the Holy Spirit, we see Peter going all the way to crucifixion in order to live a life of loving imitation of Jesus. St. Peter, faithful disciple of our Lord, pray for us!

I’ve always marveled at what Jesus says after he gives Peter the keys to his kingdom. He says “the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. He is talking, of course, about the new Church, founded on the rock of Peter. Often we think of the Church and her mission being on the defensive. But Jesus‘s image that he gives is quite the opposite: The Church is on the march. The light of Christ will seek out and dispel the darkness of the world. There is great comfort in his words, and we must join him on this mission!

The Solemnity of the Assumption each year on August 15 gives us the opportunity to reflect on the Church’s rich teaching on our Blessed Mother Mary.

In today's Gospel, the disciples are rightfully terrified when their boat is being tossed about by a violent storm at sea. Adding to their angst, they were sent across the sea by Jesus himself, who was not with them in the storm. So where was he? He was praying on the mountain, from a vantage point where he would have been watching the storm, aware of everything that they were going through. At his own time, he walks on the water towards them and, after allowing Peter to walk on the water, calms the storm. Will we recognize that Jesus sees the storms in our own lives and comes to our rescue in his own time?

In today's Feast of the Transfiguration we marvel once again at the weird and wonderful account of Jesus shining like the sun on Mount Tabor with the disciples as witnesses. "I am the Light of the World," Jesus says in John's Gospel. Interestingly, in Matthew's Gospel, we hear Jesus say, "You are the light of the world." So who is it? The light is always the light of Jesus, but as the light of faith increases and grows within us, we begin to be radiant with Christ's light. It's his light shining in us.

Today in the Second Reading St. Paul teaches us something very important. He says, "In all things God works for God those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." It's not too difficult to accept that God's will is done when good things are happening to us. But God wants us to believe with the Apostle that in "all things" -- even the bad things that happen to us -- God is accomplishing good for us. May we see all things -- the good and the bad -- as God's loving blessing for us.

In today's parable, when the servants discover the weeds among the wheat the wisely bring their problem to the Master. Does he want them to pull up the weeds? And then he shows them that this isn't their responsibility -- that he is in control. What do we do when we encounter the weeds among the wheat in our family or workplace or parish? Do I automatically assume that I need to do something about it to fix it? Or can I enter into a prayerful dialogue with God and trust that he will fix it in his time. It is his, not my, responsibility.

In the famous "Parable of the Sower", Jesus uses farming images to help us to see what prevents us from allowing God's Word to take root in our heart and bear fruit. Like farmers have to pick rock, spray for weeds, and plow, so the same thing is necessary for us if we are to grow in our spiritual life!

Today’s magnificent readings show a real contrast between the kings of the world and the Messiah-King, Jesus. The first reading gives us the prophesy that the future king will enter his kingdom on a donkey – hardly dignified transport for royalty!  Jesus tells us in our Gospel that he is “meek and humble of heart”. How different he is from the “important people” in our society! We also hear him at prayer thanking his Father for revealing heavenly things to the “little ones” and not the “wise and the learned”. Again, this is so unlike the important people of the world, who prize being known and respected by important people and forget about the lowly and little ones, the ones who are truly important to God.