HOMILY FOR SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A. 19.07.2020.

wheat and weeds

Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 85:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8:26-27 and Matthew 13:24-43. 

CO-HABITATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND SINNERS. 

 

The readings of today takes me down memory lane of my first year(s) in seminary formation, we were to weed the farmland during labour hours, but unfortunately, some of us were unable to identify between crops and weeds. You can imagine the outcome of that day’s labour. Weeding can be the greatest threat of all to the life of the young seedling. Even then, removing the weeds may pose an even greater threat. In view of this that the Church turns our attention to the Lord, the Just Judge who allows the wheat and weeds grow together, and through his mercy calls us to his kingdom.

 

In the first reading, Wisdom extolled God for being a just judge: “You have not judged unjustly; for your strength is the source of righteousness.” This is the nature of God, in his mercy, he pardons us and gives us new opportunities. Hence, Wisdom tells us, “…and you have filled your sons with good hope, because you give repentance for sins.” The message is clear, God in his justice shows us mercy and we must do the same to others. Just as the Lord is kind in his judgment to us, he has taught us that the righteous man must be kind to his fellow man. Practically, wisdom calls us to emulate the sense of God’s judgment, which Christ narrates in the gospel pericope of today.

 

Christ in the Gospel narrates three parables to express God’s judgment and the nature of the kingdom of God. He narrates the parable of the wheat and weeds, the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven (yeast). However, of these three parables, the parable of the wheat and the weeds tells the whole story in one piece. In this parable, the sower allowed the wheat and the weeds to grow together so that the difference would become very clear. God is aware of this before time and that is why he did not create two separate worlds, one for the “righteous,” and another for “sinners.” Rather, he allows all of us to co-habit together in this same world. It appears risky, but has its benefits. The righteous, learns from the misery of the sinners, and continues to struggle in order to remain virtuous. While the sinner seeing the triumph of the righteous, equally struggles to live a better life. From this parable, Christ wants us to understand that we can be among sinners without conforming to the world. Allowing the dangerous weeds to co-habit with the wheat expresses God’s patience and mercy for sinners to repent, which is the hope wisdom refers to because “God gives repentance for sin” and prepares all for a great harvest which is judgment, where both will be separated. This parable expresses how God, the just and merciful judge acts kindly with all his creatures.

 

The parable of the mustard seed is similar to this, “it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown, it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree.” That is to say, God’s project has a humble beginning, but its transforming force cannot be imagined. For us Christians, our lives are like the mustard seeds planted in the world, so we should not think that it is useless to work for a better world as some may have in mind, even when it seems incapable of catching with the slow growing of God’s kingdom. Just like the parable of the leaven (yeast), which a woman mixes a little yeast into a large mass of flour, without anyone knowing how, the leaven goes about working silently until the whole mass is fermented. That is how it is for us as Christians, when we sow God’s word, the Holy Spirit goes about quietly to do the transformation in the hearts of man. God does not act by imposing enormous pressure on us; rather, by attracting our consciences to a more worthy life, one that is more just and fraternal.

 

Finally, St. Paul highlights one very important ministry of the Holy Spirit in the second reading that helps us in all our weaknesses. Surely, we are weak in many ways, especially, in prayers. We are encourage to stay awake in prayers so that the enemies will not come while we are asleep to sow weeds on our soil. May God give us the grace to remain outstanding in the midst of every weeds around us through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ