Episode 2706: Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that ever fixing our thoughts on such things as are reasonable, we may both in our words and works do what is pleasing in Thy sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
This prayer reminds us that our entire lives words, thoughts, and deeds must align with the will of God. The traditional Catholic life emphasizes pursuing holiness not just through external actions but through interior transformation, seeking always to act in accordance with Divine Reason, which reflects God’s eternal law.
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Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
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2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,
3 Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:
4 Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:
5 For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fullness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
6 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak anything.
9 For they themselves relate of us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised from the dead), Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.
St. Paul writes with profound gratitude for the faith and perseverance of the Thessalonians. He praises their labor in charity, their steadfast hope, and their faith in the face of tribulation. In the traditional Catholic understanding, this passage highlights key virtues: faith, hope, and charity the theological virtues that direct us to God. The Thessalonians' conversion from idolatry to serving the living God mirrors the transformation every Christian must undergo: a complete turning away from sin and worldly attachments to serve God in spirit and truth.
Election and Perseverance:
St. Paul’s mention of their “election” underscores God’s sovereign grace in choosing His faithful. Yet, traditional teaching emphasizes that this election requires cooperation with grace through good works, as evidenced by their labor and endurance. This epistle challenges us to reflect on how our own lives bear witness to our faith, particularly in times of trial.
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Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35
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31 Another parable he proposed to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field.
32 Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof.
33 Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.
34 All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them.
35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
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This passage highlights how the Kingdom of Heaven, though starting small, grows and transforms the world, symbolizing the Church's growth and the transformative power of Christ's teachings.
In this passage, Our Lord uses parables to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven, drawing on the images of the mustard seed and leaven.
The Mustard Seed
The Church is likened to a mustard seed tiny in its inception yet growing into a mighty tree. This mirrors the early Church's growth, which, from its humble beginnings with the Apostles, spread throughout the world, offering shelter and spiritual refuge. Traditionally, this parable also represents the growth of faith within the individual soul. Like the seed, faith must be nurtured through prayer, the sacraments, and good works until it matures into a living, active faith that encompasses all aspects of life.
The Leaven
The leaven symbolizes the transformative power of Christ’s doctrine. Just as a small amount of leaven affects the entire batch of dough, the Gospel, when embraced, sanctifies and elevates every dimension of human life. This reflects the traditional Catholic understanding of grace a divine gift that permeates the soul, sanctifying and elevating it toward union with God.
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Propagation of the Church
The Church’s rapid expansion, as described in this Gospel, is a testament to Divine Providence. Unlike false religions or heresies, which often spread by appealing to human passions or convenience, the true Church spread despite demanding radical self-denial and fidelity. As Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The unwavering witness of the saints and martyrs exemplifies how God’s power works through human weakness to accomplish His will.
In contrast, heresies such as those propagated by Luther and Calvin gained rapid acceptance because they catered to human pride and rebellion. True faith, however, calls for submission to God’s law, even when it is difficult.
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Why Did Christ Teach in Parables?
Christ’s use of parables serves both as a means of revelation and a veiling of divine mysteries. For the humble and faithful, parables reveal profound truths about God’s Kingdom. However, for the proud and obstinate, they obscure these truths, as they lack the openness to understand them. This dual purpose underscores the traditional teaching that spiritual understanding requires humility and grace.
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Practical Application
We are called to be both mustard seeds and leaven in our world. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we must grow in faith and spread the Gospel through our actions and words, becoming instruments of God’s grace. The Thessalonians serve as a model for us: their faithfulness and zeal made them a beacon of Christian life. Let us strive to emulate their virtues and bear witness to Christ in all that we do.
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Prayer
O most benign Jesus, we thank Thee for the gift of belonging to Thy holy Church, which, like the mustard seed, has grown to encompass the whole world. Grant that we may always remain faithful to her teachings, find rest and protection within her embrace, and, like the leaven, allow her doctrine to transform our entire being. May we produce fruits of faith, hope, and charity, living lives pleasing to Thee. Amen.
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