Matthew 13:24–43: The Weeds, the Mustard Seed, and a Field Left to Grow
A Catholic exegesis of Matthew 13:24–43: the parables of the weeds, mustard seed, and leaven, the Psalm 78 citation, and Augustine’s corpus permixtum.
· 35 min read
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The Sunday Gospels
A verse-by-verse exegetical journey through every Sunday Gospel of the three-year lectionary — Advent to Christ the King, across Years A, B, and C.
The Catholic Church proclaims the Gospel on a three-year cycle. Year A draws chiefly on Matthew, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke, with the Gospel of John woven through the great seasons of Lent, Easter, and the Bread of Life discourse. Taken together, these Sunday readings carry the faithful through the whole mystery of Christ — his coming, his ministry, his passion, his rising, and his reign — once every three years.
This series aims to work through every one of them: a standalone exegetical paper on each Sunday Gospel, from the First Sunday of Advent to the Solemnity of Christ the King, in all three cycles. It is a long road — 186 readings in all — and it begins the way the liturgical year begins, in the watchful dark of Advent. Published papers appear as cards below; the rest are on the way.
A note on the readings: several feasts — the Nativity, Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, and Divine Mercy Sunday — share the same Gospel across all three cycles, so a single paper serves each year. Gospel citations follow the Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA edition) as celebrated in the dioceses of the United States.
Matthew 13:44–52: The Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Scribe’s New and Old
A Catholic exegesis of Matthew 13:44–52: the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the dragnet, and the scribe who brings out the new and the old.
· 52 min read
Year A
Centered on the Gospel of Matthew
Advent
- First Sunday of Advent (Matthew 24:37-44) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Advent (Matthew 3:1-12) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Advent (Matthew 11:2-11) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Advent (Matthew 1:18-24) — coming soon
The Christmas Season
- The Nativity of the Lord — Vigil Mass (Matthew 1:1-25) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass during the Night (Luke 2:1-14) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass at Dawn (Luke 2:15-20) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass during the Day (John 1:1-18) — coming soon
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23) — coming soon
- Mary, the Holy Mother of God (January 1) (Luke 2:16-21) — coming soon
- The Epiphany of the Lord (Matthew 2:1-12) — coming soon
- The Baptism of the Lord (Matthew 3:13-17) — coming soon
Lent
- First Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4:1-11) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Lent (Matthew 17:1-9) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Lent (John 4:5-42) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Lent (John 9:1-41) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 11:1-45) — coming soon
- Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Matthew 26:14—27:66) — coming soon
The Easter Season
- Easter Sunday of the Resurrection (John 20:1-9) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy) (John 20:19-31) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Easter (Luke 24:13-35) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:1-10) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 14:1-12) — coming soon
- Sixth Sunday of Easter (John 14:15-21) — coming soon
- The Ascension of the Lord (Matthew 28:16-20) — coming soon
- Seventh Sunday of Easter (John 17:1-11a) — coming soon
- Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day) (John 20:19-23) — coming soon
Solemnities of the Lord after Pentecost
- The Most Holy Trinity (John 3:16-18) — coming soon
- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) (John 6:51-58) — coming soon
Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time is celebrated in two stretches — after the Baptism of the Lord until Lent, and after Pentecost until Advent — concluding on the Solemnity of Christ the King.
- Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 1:29-34) — coming soon
- Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 4:12-23) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:1-12a) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:13-16) — coming soon
- Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:17-37) — coming soon
- Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 5:38-48) — coming soon
- Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 6:24-34) — coming soon
- Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 7:21-27) — coming soon
- Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 9:9-13) — coming soon
- Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 9:36—10:8) — coming soon
- Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 10:26-33) — coming soon
- Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 10:37-42) — coming soon
- Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 11:25-30) — coming soon
- Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:1-23) — coming soon
- Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:24-43)
- Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:44-52) — coming soon
- Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 14:13-21) — coming soon
- Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 14:22-33) — coming soon
- Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 15:21-28) — coming soon
- Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 16:13-20) — coming soon
- Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 16:21-27) — coming soon
- Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 18:15-20) — coming soon
- Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 18:21-35) — coming soon
- Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 20:1-16a) — coming soon
- Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 21:28-32) — coming soon
- Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 21:33-43) — coming soon
- Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 22:1-14) — coming soon
- Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 22:15-21) — coming soon
- Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 22:34-40) — coming soon
- Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 23:1-12) — coming soon
- Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 25:1-13) — coming soon
- Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 25:14-30) — coming soon
- Christ the King (Thirty-Fourth Sunday) (Matthew 25:31-46) — coming soon
Year B
Centered on the Gospel of Mark
Advent
- First Sunday of Advent (Mark 13:33-37) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Advent (Mark 1:1-8) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Advent (John 1:6-8, 19-28) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Advent (Luke 1:26-38) — coming soon
The Christmas Season
- The Nativity of the Lord — Vigil Mass (Matthew 1:1-25) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass during the Night (Luke 2:1-14) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass at Dawn (Luke 2:15-20) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass during the Day (John 1:1-18) — coming soon
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:22-40) — coming soon
- Mary, the Holy Mother of God (January 1) (Luke 2:16-21) — coming soon
- The Epiphany of the Lord (Matthew 2:1-12) — coming soon
- The Baptism of the Lord (Mark 1:7-11) — coming soon
Lent
- First Sunday of Lent (Mark 1:12-15) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:2-10) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Lent (John 2:13-25) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Lent (John 3:14-21) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 12:20-33) — coming soon
- Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Mark 14:1—15:47) — coming soon
The Easter Season
- Easter Sunday of the Resurrection (John 20:1-9) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy) (John 20:19-31) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Easter (Luke 24:35-48) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:11-18) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 15:1-8) — coming soon
- Sixth Sunday of Easter (John 15:9-17) — coming soon
- The Ascension of the Lord (Mark 16:15-20) — coming soon
- Seventh Sunday of Easter (John 17:11b-19) — coming soon
- Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day) (John 15:26-27; 16:12-15) — coming soon
Solemnities of the Lord after Pentecost
- The Most Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20) — coming soon
- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26) — coming soon
Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time is celebrated in two stretches — after the Baptism of the Lord until Lent, and after Pentecost until Advent — concluding on the Solemnity of Christ the King.
- Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 1:35-42) — coming soon
- Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:14-20) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:21-28) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:29-39) — coming soon
- Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:40-45) — coming soon
- Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 2:1-12) — coming soon
- Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 2:18-22) — coming soon
- Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 2:23—3:6) — coming soon
- Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 3:20-35) — coming soon
- Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 4:26-34) — coming soon
- Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 4:35-41) — coming soon
- Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 5:21-43) — coming soon
- Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 6:1-6a) — coming soon
- Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 6:7-13) — coming soon
- Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 6:30-34) — coming soon
- Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 6:1-15) — coming soon
- Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 6:24-35) — coming soon
- Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 6:41-51) — coming soon
- Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 6:51-58) — coming soon
- Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 6:60-69) — coming soon
- Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) — coming soon
- Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 7:31-37) — coming soon
- Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 8:27-35) — coming soon
- Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 9:30-37) — coming soon
- Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48) — coming soon
- Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:2-16) — coming soon
- Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:17-30) — coming soon
- Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:35-45) — coming soon
- Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:46-52) — coming soon
- Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 12:28-34) — coming soon
- Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 12:38-44) — coming soon
- Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 13:24-32) — coming soon
- Christ the King (Thirty-Fourth Sunday) (John 18:33b-37) — coming soon
Year C
Centered on the Gospel of Luke
Advent
- First Sunday of Advent (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Advent (Luke 3:1-6) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Advent (Luke 3:10-18) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Advent (Luke 1:39-45) — coming soon
The Christmas Season
- The Nativity of the Lord — Vigil Mass (Matthew 1:1-25) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass during the Night (Luke 2:1-14) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass at Dawn (Luke 2:15-20) — coming soon
- The Nativity of the Lord — Mass during the Day (John 1:1-18) — coming soon
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:41-52) — coming soon
- Mary, the Holy Mother of God (January 1) (Luke 2:16-21) — coming soon
- The Epiphany of the Lord (Matthew 2:1-12) — coming soon
- The Baptism of the Lord (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22) — coming soon
Lent
- First Sunday of Lent (Luke 4:1-13) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Lent (Luke 9:28b-36) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Lent (Luke 13:1-9) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Lent (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 8:1-11) — coming soon
- Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Luke 22:14—23:56) — coming soon
The Easter Season
- Easter Sunday of the Resurrection (John 20:1-9) — coming soon
- Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy) (John 20:19-31) — coming soon
- Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:27-30) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 13:31-33a, 34-35) — coming soon
- Sixth Sunday of Easter (John 14:23-29) — coming soon
- The Ascension of the Lord (Luke 24:46-53) — coming soon
- Seventh Sunday of Easter (John 17:20-26) — coming soon
- Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day) (John 14:15-16, 23b-26) — coming soon
Solemnities of the Lord after Pentecost
- The Most Holy Trinity (John 16:12-15) — coming soon
- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) (Luke 9:11b-17) — coming soon
Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time is celebrated in two stretches — after the Baptism of the Lord until Lent, and after Pentecost until Advent — concluding on the Solemnity of Christ the King.
- Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 2:1-11) — coming soon
- Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21) — coming soon
- Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 4:21-30) — coming soon
- Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 5:1-11) — coming soon
- Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:17, 20-26) — coming soon
- Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:27-38) — coming soon
- Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:39-45) — coming soon
- Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 7:1-10) — coming soon
- Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 7:11-17) — coming soon
- Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 7:36—8:3) — coming soon
- Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 9:18-24) — coming soon
- Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 9:51-62) — coming soon
- Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20) — coming soon
- Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:25-37) — coming soon
- Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:38-42) — coming soon
- Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 11:1-13) — coming soon
- Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 12:13-21) — coming soon
- Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 12:32-48) — coming soon
- Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 12:49-53) — coming soon
- Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 13:22-30) — coming soon
- Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 14:1, 7-14) — coming soon
- Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 14:25-33) — coming soon
- Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 15:1-32) — coming soon
- Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 16:1-13) — coming soon
- Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 16:19-31) — coming soon
- Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 17:5-10) — coming soon
- Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 17:11-19) — coming soon
- Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 18:1-8) — coming soon
- Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 18:9-14) — coming soon
- Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 19:1-10) — coming soon
- Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 20:27-38) — coming soon
- Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 21:5-19) — coming soon
- Christ the King (Thirty-Fourth Sunday) (Luke 23:35-43) — coming soon
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