Sermon on Matthew 13:36–43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36–43

My dear brothers and sisters,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The disciples ask Him for an explanation because they want to understand the mystery of God’s Kingdom. Jesus patiently reveals that the field is the world, the good seed are the children of the Kingdom, the weeds are those who follow evil, the enemy is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are the angels.

This parable raises an important question: Why does God allow evil to exist? Why does He not remove it immediately?

Jesus teaches us that God is patient. He does not want the destruction of the sinner but desires conversion. If the weeds were pulled up too soon, the wheat might also be uprooted. God sees what we cannot see. He knows that a human heart can change. A sinner can become a saint. Saint Paul persecuted Christians, yet he became one of the greatest apostles. Saint Augustine spent many years far from God before becoming one of the greatest teachers of the Church.

God’s patience should never be mistaken for indifference. The time of mercy will not last forever. Jesus clearly says that a day of judgment will come. At the end of time, the angels will separate the righteous from those who have rejected God. Evil will not have the last word. Justice and truth will prevail.

This Gospel also invites us to examine our own hearts. The battle between wheat and weeds is not only taking place in the world; it also takes place within each of us. There are moments when love, generosity, forgiveness, and faith grow in us like good wheat. But there are also moments when selfishness, pride, anger, jealousy, or resentment begin to grow like weeds.

Therefore, we should not spend our lives trying to identify the “weeds” in other people. Jesus first calls us to look into our own hearts. Every day we have the opportunity to nourish the wheat by prayer, the sacraments, reading God’s Word, and acts of charity. Every day we also have the responsibility to pull out the weeds through sincere repentance and conversion.

There is another comforting message in this Gospel. Sometimes we become discouraged because evil seems so powerful. We see violence, injustice, corruption, hatred, and suffering in the world. We may wonder whether goodness is losing. Jesus assures us that appearances are not the final reality. The harvest belongs to God. He is Lord of history. He will bring His work to completion.

Finally, Jesus ends with a beautiful promise: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” This is our Christian hope. God has not created us for darkness but for glory. Every act of faithfulness, every hidden sacrifice, every prayer, every work of mercy prepares us for that eternal Kingdom where no evil, pain, or death will remain.

Let us therefore live with confidence. Let us not lose heart when we encounter evil, nor become complacent in our ow inn spiritual lives. Let us cooperate with God’s grace so that the good seed He has planted in us may bear abundant fruit.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who remained faithful to God throughout her life, help us to persevere until the final harvest, so that we too may shine forever in the Kingdom of our heavenly Father.

Saint (Blessed) Berthold of Garsten was one of the most influential Benedictine abbots in medieval Austria. He was the first abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Garsten, near Steyr in Upper Austria, and transformed the newly founded monastery into a flourishing center of spiritual, cultural, and economic life.

Early Life

Berthold was born around 1090, probably into a noble Bavarian family related to the lords of Regensburg and the Counts of Bogen. He entered the famous Benedictine monastery of St. Blasien in the Black Forest, where he served as librarian and subprior. His wisdom and holiness soon became well known, and in 1107 he was appointed prior of Göttweig Abbey in Lower Austria.

First Abbot of Garsten

Around 1111, Margrave Otakar II of Styria appointed Berthold as the first abbot of Garsten Abbey, which had recently become a Benedictine monastery.

Under his leadership:

• the monastery became a center of the Hirsau Reform, promoting strict Benedictine observance;

• monastic discipline and the liturgy were renewed;

• agriculture and land cultivation expanded;

• new settlements and churches were established;

• Garsten became an important center of learning and Christian culture in Upper Austria.

A Holy Shepherd

Berthold was known for combining firmness with kindness. Although he expected discipline from his monks, he was remembered as a compassionate pastor, a wise confessor, and a humble man of prayer.

His life was marked by:

• deep humility,

• love of silence and contemplation,

• generous care for the poor,

• fidelity to the Rule of St. Benedict,

• unwavering trust in God’s providence.

Miracles and Popular Devotion

Many miracles were attributed to Berthold both during his lifetime and after his death. Medieval accounts tell how:

• insufficient food for the monks was multiplied through his blessing;

• water was changed into wine;

• the sick were healed;

• possessed persons were freed from evil spirits;

• miracles continued at his tomb after his death.

Although these stories reflect medieval hagiography, they also testify to the deep respect people had for his holiness and pastoral charity.

Death and Veneration

Berthold died on 27 July 1142 and was buried in the abbey church at Garsten. His tomb soon became a place of pilgrimage.

His cult spread quickly in Austria. Local veneration was approved in the Middle Ages, and the Holy See officially confirmed his long-standing cult in 1970, recognizing him as Blessed Berthold of Garsten. Today he is commemorated especially in the dioceses of Linz, St. Pölten, and Salzburg, as well as by the Austrian Benedictines.

Spiritual Legacy

The life of Saint Berthold teaches that true reform begins with personal holiness. His example reminds Christians that prayer, humility, charity, and faithful service can renew not only individuals but entire communities.

His life reflects the words of Christ:

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

Even after nearly nine centuries, Saint Berthold remains an inspiring model for monks, priests, and all Christians who seek to unite contemplation with loving service to others.

In an excerpt from Matthew’s Gospel for today’s feast of St. We can find many lessons from Jacob. However, I will limit myself to emphasizing only one, which concerns the mystery of God’s providence, which applies to the whole creation, and which also includes the mystery of election.

When the mother of Zebedee’s sons asks that her sons sit in the kingdom of God on the right and left of Jesus, that is, in the most important places, Jesus answers: “You do not know what you are asking.” (Matthew 20:22). And he makes them aware that sitting in his immediate vicinity is intended for the team for whom his Father has prepared it: “It is not mine to give someone to sit on my right hand or on my left; it belongs to those for whom my Father has prepared it.'” God decides, that is, God changes, or directs. If it were not so, God would not be God, who has everything in his power. At the same time,

man should respond with humble acknowledgment of God’s omnipotence, because God has revealed himself as a Father who loves his children and does what he does for their good prominent places, because his heart will be filled with God.  

Today’s saint, Saint James, died as the first of the apostles, and that was by beheading. It is written about in the Acts of the Apostles 12,1-3: “(Herod) killed John’s brother James with the sword.” Tradition says that when Jerusalem was conquered by the Arabs, his body was taken to Santiago de Compostela. Until now, this city in Spain is one of the largest and most famous places of pilgrimage, known for its many miracles. St. John Chrysostom about St. He writes to Jakub. “St. James did not live long: that is because from the beginning he burned with great zeal, despised all human things, and climbed to such unspeakable heights that he immediately died”.

Do I not also desire the leading places and the glory of the world? ▪ Many travel to St. Jakub to Santiago. Are pilgrimages to places of pilgrimage also part of my life of faith? ▪ What does it mean to be a servant of others? No theatrical gestures, no religious declarations. If we wanted to translate Jesus’ call to be servants, we could say that it is freedom from selfishness and attention to the needs of others. Today is also an opportunity to make progress in this matter…

In today´s Gospel Jesus gives us short parables  about the Kingdom of Heaven.They are simple images -a treasure  hidden in  a field a merchant searching for a priceless pearl,a net gathering fish,and  a scribe who brings out treasures both old and new.Yet these brief stories containt a profound message for every  Christian.

Jesus tels us that the  Kingdom of Heaveb is a like a treasure hidden in  a field. A man discovers it hides  it again  and then, filled with  joy , seils everythings he owns  in order to  buy that field. Notice that Jesus emphasizes the man´s joy. He does not  sell everything because he is forced  to . He does  it gladly  because  he  knows he has found  something far  more valuable than everything he possesses.

The Kingdom of God is that  treasure. It is a life lived with Christ. It is a forgiveness peace  of heart,hope in suffering ,and eternal life.Many  prople  spend  theit whole lives searching for happiness in wealt, succes,power ,or pleasure ,yet theit hearts remains restless.Only Christ can satisfy  the deepest longing of the  human heart.

The merchant searching for  fine pearls  represents those who sincerely seek truth. When  he finaly finds the pearl of great  value, he immediately sells everything to obtain it. Many people are  searching  today. Some seek meaning in science philosophy,careers , relationships,or travel.These things have their place,but none  can replace God. When a person truly  encounters Jesus Christ, he discovers  the greatest treasure imaginale. The saints understood this. They left behind comfort ,wealth ,and even their lives because they had  found  something infitely greater friendship with Christ.

God´s invitation is universal. Everyone  is called into His Kindom. Yet not everyone accepts His  grace or remains  faithful to it. God is infetely merciful, but also respects our freedom. Our daily choices matter. Every act of love forgiveness, honesty and faithfulness prepares us for eternity.Finaly Jesus speaks about the scribe who has become a disciple of the Kingdom. Such a person brings out of  his treasure what is old and what is  new.

As Christians,we treasure the ancient faith handed down tgrough Scripture and the Church. Yet that faith is never outdated. The eternal Gospel speaks with  fresh power to every generation and to every new challenge we face. God ´s Word is always living and always new.

St.Chrisopher is one of the most beloved saints in the christian tradition and is the patron saint of travelers drives, pilgrims, sailors, and transportation workers.

According to an tradition,Christopher was originnally a very large and powerful man named Reprobus.He desired to serve only the greatest king in the  world.After serving an earthly king and later realizing that even the devil feared Christ,he sought to become a follower of Jesus.

A holy hermit advised him that the best way to serve Christ was the helping people cross a dangerous river. Christopher carried travelers on the strong shoulders from one bank to other.

One day a small child asked him to carry Him across the river.As Christopher großer,the child became heavier and heavier until Christopher felt as if he were carrying the weight of the whole world.After reaching the opposite shore,the child revealed:You have carried not only the world upon your shoulders,but Him who created the world.I am Christ your King.The name Christopher comes from the Greek Christophorus,meaning Christ -bearer.

Christopher openly proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christus during the persecution of Christians,probably under the Roman Emporer Decius in the third century.Despite torture and attempts to force him to worship pagan gods,he remained faithful to Christ.He was eventually beheaded and died as a martyr.

st. Brigita Sweden

Birgitta de Suecia

BIOGRAPHY

She came from a royal family and had supernatural visions. She was married at the age of 14 and had eight children. She entered III. order of St. Františka and after her husband’s death lived a reciting life. She founded a religious order for the purpose of worshiping the tortured Christ. By her virtues she was an example to all. Towards the end of her life we see her as a penitent pilgrim.

She was born in June 1303 at Finsta Castle near Uppsala, Sweden. This place is located on Lake Bjorken north of Stockholm. Parents came from noble families. Father Governor Birger Persson of the Folkungar family, as Swedish kings, mother of Ingeborg of the Gothic royal family. Brigitte was taught love for God much like her younger sister and brother. However, Brigita started to have visions at the age of seven. At the first night she saw the Virgin Mary, in the next crucified Christ, and this mystical experience continued to spread with her. At about the age of 11, when seeing the Lord Jesus on the cross, she asked the question: “O my dear, who set you up like this?” and she heard an answer that deeply touched her heart: “All those who forget me and despise my love!”

Soon after this experience, Brigitte’s mother died, and her father entrusted her upbringing to her aunt Kateřina, who was also her godmother and used the possibility of leadership by Bishop Brynjolf of Skara.

At the age of 14, she was married to nobleman Ulf Gudmarsson. She submitted to her father’s decision, even though she longed for the consecrated life of nuns. She and her husband then agreed to follow the example of the Old Testament couple Tobias and Sara. They spent the first two years in prayer renouncing intimate coexistence. Married to Ulf, who was a good man, she then had eight children: Marta, Karl, Birger, Bengt, Gudmar, Karin (či Kateřina), Ingeborg and Cecilia.

At the age of 32, after the accession of her relative Magno to the Swedish throne, she was called to Stockholm to be a lady-in-waiting to his young queen, whom she taught and raised for three years. At that time, the student Niels Hermansson, later bishop and saint, helped raise her sons. Brigita also recognized the difficulties of politics and the fragmentation of Europe at the royal court. Her family’s stay in Stockholm ended with the painful loss of her son Gudmar, who died at about the age of ten.

In an effort to constantly deepen the spiritual life, both spouses entered the third order of St. Francis. On the 25th anniversary of their marriage, they made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and at that time decided again to live a restrained life. After two years, Ulf entered the Cistercian monastery, where their son Bengt already lived. He lived there with him for two years and died. Brigita, after arranging all matters, took refuge in one abode near the monastery of Alvastra and lived in it as an ascetic for two years. She begged for the necessary graces from the church and performed acts of Gemini love. In 1346, she began admonishing the powerful of this world as well as church dignitaries and demanded a change of life from them. Personally, she was also at the court of the king and wrote calls to end the long-standing war to the French and English rulers. Another call to the Pope in Avignon with the desire to return.

King Magnus Eriksson dedicated to Brigitte the royal court of Vadsten at Lake Vättern, and she decided to make it a monastery for the Congregation of the Holy Savior (sv. Salvátora), which she founded. It was built and consecrated only after her death. Her religious community was established in two communities of (male and female), for which one church was built, in which they met for worship. The two communities were to have a combined membership of 85. She chose the order of St. Augustine, to whom she added the worship of the bitter passion of the Savior. He himself made her know the greatness of his torment and taught her the prayers with which she could honor his wounds during the year. He added great promises for those who can endure to perform the devotion with 15 prayers throughout the year. (The devotion was later approved and recommended by the Holy Congregation, the College de propaganda fide, and Pope Clement XII.)

In 1349, Brigita went on a pilgrimage to Rome to not only obtain indulgences the following year, connected with the gracious summer proclaimed by Pope Clement VI, but also wanted to achieve confirmation of the new order. She mostly went barefoot. Cardinal Ratzinger wrote about her that she wandered in the footsteps of God who stepped into our footsteps.

Her order was only confirmed by Pope Urban V when he returned to Rome in 1367. Meanwhile, Brigita was making pilgrimages and continuing her plan. Before her death, she made a large, one-year journey to the Holy Land, which she embarked on in the spring of. 1372. In Jerusalem, she began to develop stomach ailments and after returning to Rome on the 23rd. 7. died. She was temporarily buried in the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna and 13. 11. accompanied by her children Katerina and Birger, transported to Vadstena, Sweden. For an extraordinary life and a number of miracles, Pope Boniface IX. on 7. On 10 1391 he declared a saint.

Pope John Paul II her 1. On 10 October 1999, he declared as the patron saint of Europe and justified it by saying: “By her deep feeling of the mystery of Christ and the Church, she became involved in building her community at an extremely critical moment in the history of the Church. Brigitte exudes a prophetic power. He speaks to princes and popes with a certain openness. For the sake of the moral revival of Christendom and the clergy, he spares no strict admonitions.”

Pope in the following month, 13. 11., served an ecumenical service in her honor, with the participation of two archbishops of the Lutheran Church of Sweden and Finland, as well as the presence of members of the Swedish royal family. He highlighted the new patroness of Europe as the one who “She understood the Church as a community of believers, a place where the Holy Spirit dwells.”

Quotes from her thoughts: “Temptations are the most beneficial means of sifting, purifying, and perfecting man. Those who tend to be tempted at the beginning of their conversion are quite firm at the end of their lives.”

Mary Magdalena is one of the most beloved women in in the New Testament and a model of conversion faithful discipleship,and courageous witness.

She came from the town of Magdala,on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus had freed her from seven demons.Luke 8,2.This does not necessarily mean demonic possession,in the modern sens.It signifies that Christ complety transformed her life,freeing her from proufound spirituel and personal suffering.

After her healing Mary Magdalena became one of Jesus devoted follewers.Together with other holy women,she accompanied Him during His Ministry and helped support Him and His disciples.

Mary Magdalena remained faithful when faithful when many others fled.She stood near the cross during Jesus crucifixion crucifixion sharing in His suffering with steasfast love.She witnesssed His burial and returned to His tomb early on Easter, nothing,bringing spices to anoint His body.

There she encountered the greatest surprise in history.The tomp was empty.When the risen Jesus called her by name Mary.She immediately recognized Him.Because she was the first to snnounce the Resurection to the Apostels the Church has long honored her with the tittle,,Apostle to the Aposteles”.

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was one of the greates preachers and theologians of the Catholic Church.He was born on July 22,1599 in Brindisi,in southem Italy. His baptismal name was Giulio Cesare Russo.

At an early age he showed remarkable intelligence and gift for languages.After entering the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin,he took the religious name Lawrence.He mastered Latin,Greek,Hebrew,Syriac,Fernen,French, Spanish and several other languages.

Lawrence became famous aß an outstanding preacher.His sermons were rooted in Sacred Scripture and inspired countless people to return to the faith.He defended the Catholic faith during the tíme of the Protestan Reformation with charity,lerning,and persuasive preaching.

Saint Lawrence had a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to  the Holy Eucharist.His writings reveal a deep love for Christ and a through knowledge of the Bible.

He died on July 1619 in Lissabon,while on a diplomatic mission.He was canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. In 1959 Pope John XXIII declared him a Doctor of the Church, recognized the enduring value of his teaching.

Saint Apollinaris of Ravena is venerated as the first Bishop of Ravena and one of earliest Christian missionaries in northeim Italy.According to ancient Christian tradition,he was disciple of Saint Peter the Apostle,who sent him from Rome to the preach Gospel in Ravena.

When Apollinaris arrived in Ravena,Christianity was still in its infancy.He preached fearlessly,converted many people to Christ,and performed miracles,including healings of the sick.His preaching attracted many follewers but also aroused oppsition from pagen authorities.

Saint Apollinaris suffered greatly for his faith.Tradition recounts that he was beaten and imprisoned several times,driven out the city,tortured for refusing to worship pagan gods.Although some early accounts say he died from the injuries he suffered.The Church honors him as a martyr because he willingly gave his live in wittness to Christ.

Today’s Gospel begins with a shocking contrast.On one síde stand Jesus,who hast just healed a man and restored life.On the other side stand the Pharisees,who leave not wit gratitude but with a plan to destroy Him.Matthew tells us plainly.The Pharisees went out and consipired against Him,how to destroy Him.

It is one of great tragedies of the human heart.The same event that leads one person to fait can lead another to hatred.Miracles alone do not convert a hardened heard.A heart that refuses humility will always find a reson to reject the truth.

Jesus knows of the plot againts Him,yet He does not respond with anger or revenge.He quietly withdraws.This is not cowardince but divine wisdom.He does not seek conflict for its own sake.His enemies by force but to conquer hearts through love.