​​​​​Holy Infant Catholic Church

Father Michaels Weekly Thoughts

WEEKLY THOUGHTS 17th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME JULY 26th 2026

            Dear friends, welcome to the celebration of the 17th Sunday and World Day of the Grand Parents and the Elderly, instituted by Pope Franicis in 2021. It is celebrated on the Sunday of July close to the Feast of St Joachim and St. Anne – the Grand Parents of Jesus and Parents of Mary.

            According to the Vatican News, the theme of this year; “I will never forget you”, Is 49: 15, seeks to emphasize how God’s love for every person is never lacking even in the fragility of old age. It is intended to be a message of consolation and hope for all grandparents and elderly who live in solitude or feel forgotten. Hearty congratulations to all grandparents. Please, continue to be an inspiration, provide guidance, spiritual formation and growth to the young. Many African cultures consider the elderly as source of wisdom and a living encyclopedia.

            In the Gospel Reading of last Sunday Mat 13: 24-43 Jesus told three parables to his disciples and the crowds; the wheat and weeds, the mustard seed and the leaven. The first one was about God’s patience waiting the sinner to conversion. The other two were about the humble beginnings of the reign of God and the Church that started with 12 Apostles and a few disciples but now confessed by numerous Christians all over the world.

            The first Reading taken from Kings 3: 5, 7-12; God was pleased with Solmon’s prayer “for the understanding heart to judge the people and to distinguish right from wrong.” God granted Solomon wisdom.

            In the Gospel Matthew 13: 44-52 Jesus uses three parables to teach the apostles and disciples on the kingdom of heaven as a treasure of great value, everyone should endeavor to possess or own even if it requires selling off what one owns to raise money and buy the field, where it is located.

            In the second parable Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a merchant searching for fine pearls, when he finds one, he hides it and again goes and sells everything he has to buy and own it. Owning the kingdom of God must be a priority in the life of the disciple of Jesus. This treasure will take care of my problems be; spiritual, social, political and economic.

The parable of the dragnet is similar to the parables of the weeds in the gospel reading of last Sunday. It is about the last judgement. The edible fish caught in the dragnet is kept and the useless is thrown away or disposed.   

            The Church as a community of believers is composed of holy and sinful people in need of salvation gained from following the teaching of Jesus- the new Scribe whose message focusses on faith, love, mercy, hope and forgiveness.

            Have a great week and Happy Grandparents’ and Elderly Day.