Jesus, the image of the invisible God, makes known the mercy and might of the one who rules over all.  So, might can be merciful. 

By experience, we know quite well that to have might in the world means to be a tyrant.  But we have before us another kind of might, that is, one that has compassion as its synonym.

This is the might of the one who can do all things and can do so when he wills it.  And it due to his being almighty that God is merciful and kind. 

Since his might is absolute, and merciful and kind at the same time, God has patience with bad folks.  He knows how human history will end; he is sure of the final victory of the kingdom for all the obstacles there are to its growth.  Besides, he gives bad folks the chance to repent.

And the warning to us is that we are not to judge rashly or before the time.  For now, God alone knows how to discern, to tell apart the bad folks from the good.

But ours, too, is the encouraging word not to scorn the small beginnings of God’s kingdom.  For there is no way that these small beginnings do not yield great successes.  And we are, of course, to do our share of the work of spreading the word of the kingdom.  The little that we weak folks put in, though not seen, serves as a leaven of peace in our society.  By the grace of God, of course, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

For, yes, God blesses the lowlier beginnings, and the fruit only comes by gradually, little by little (SV.EN II:351; SV.EN V:219).

Lord Jesus, grant us to believe truly in the God of might and compassion.  In you, he gives his all, giving up his body and shedding his blood for our sakes.  And make us keep your parables and ponder them in our hearts, so that they may bear fruit in us, and grow and blossom.

19 July 2026
16th Sunday in O.T. (A)
Wis 12, 13. 16-19; Rom 8, 26-27; Mt 13, 24-43