Gospel of July 17, 2011 (Matthew 13:24-43)
The Parable of the Weeds among the Thorns
Stressful week = monster mom. I still feel guilty over all the shouting and nagging that my child endured at the start of this week. At some point, I had to stop and say sorry for being…for lack of a better word…a MONSTER! As I prayed for extra patience, the following excerpt from Breath Prayers for Mothers helped me a lot:
The Parable of the Weeds among the Thorns
Stressful week = monster mom. I still feel guilty over all the shouting and nagging that my child endured at the start of this week. At some point, I had to stop and say sorry for being…for lack of a better word…a MONSTER! As I prayed for extra patience, the following excerpt from Breath Prayers for Mothers helped me a lot:
Let Me See with Your Eyes
No child of mine would ever do something so foolish. How many times has that thought crossed your mind? We can be surprised by some of the things our children do. There is a lot of truth to the old saying, “kids will be kids.”
Though He may be disappointed in us, God is never surprised when we draw the wrong conclusions, make incorrect decisions or act foolishly. Instead, He looks at us, through his son, Jesus, with eyes of forgiveness. That way, He sees potential – who we can become instead of what we are now.
We can have a powerful impact on our own children by seeing them as God sees them. When we trade criticism for a heart of compassion and stand ready to forgive, we can send a message of expectation that will cause our children to fly higher in their own hearts.
Last Sunday’s Gospel rings of the same compassion and love that God has for his children. It clearly states that He allows evil to exist alongside the good. The First Reading explains God’s disposition so well:
But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency,
and with much lenience you govern us;
for power, whenever you will, attends you.
And you taught your people, by these deeds,
that those who are just must be kind;
and you gave your children good ground for hope
that you would permit repentance for their sins. Wisdom 12:18-19
God is clement (gentle/soft), lenient and always forgiving. He always gives a second chance for us to repent. What a loving Father! I wish I could be that kind of parent, too! Increase my patience and compassion, Lord. Let me see with Your eyes.
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