It seems like only a few years ago when I laughed after a priest invited me to apply as a seminarian at his alma mater. It felt ridiculous then because I was not even regularly attending Sunday Mass at that time. It was not until more than a year later when that seemingly forgotten invitation entered my mind once more, and that seed planted in me continued to grow. At first, I hemmed and hawed trying to avoid it. And then I sought a compromise, in effect, telling God that I will only serve if He does something for me as well. Finally, I realized my folly and submitted everything up to Him to use me as He sees fit.

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus explained to His disciples the parable of the weeds in the field. There will be a final judgment at the end of the age when His true disciples will be separated from those who chose to follow other things. Thanks be to God for His infinite love and mercy! His patience in allowing the weeds to grow with the wheat until the harvest has given me time to see the error of my ways and return to Him. It is time that I should not easily take for granted from now on. This is also the invitation of the Gospel for me.

My time in this world is a grace from the Lord. He is the only one who knows how much of it I have left. I certainly do not. What I can do is to make the most out of this gift by living fully in the present and glorifying God with my life.

By: Richard Anthony Lim

Today's Gospel

Mt 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."