XVI Sunday in OT:[A]:Wis 12:13,16-19;Rom8:26-27;Mt13:24-43

XVI Sunday in OT:[A]:Wis 12:13,16-19;Rom8:26-27;Mt13:24-43

Introduction: In the Gospel passage for today, the parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus presents a wise and patient God who allows the good and the evil to coexist in the world. "Let the seed and the darnel grow together till the harvest time.” God awaits repentant sinners, giving them the strength to acknowledge their weakness. Through the parable of the wheat and the weeds in today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to be patient with those who fail to meet the high ethical standard expected of a Christian.

Explanation:  Most of those who heard Jesus were farmers and they could readily understand that one cannot easily distinguish weeds from wheat when the plants are very small. It is only when they have grown taller that the difference becomes apparent. By that time, however, the roots are so intertwined that one cannot pull out the weeds without severely damaging the wheat. Only at the harvest can the separation be made safely. 

The spiritual reality being illustrated is the congregation of believers. It is often impossible to know who may be for sure the true and faithful followers of Jesus since we can usually judge only by appearances. In Jesus' day, the Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be the most religious of all, yet he rejected them for lack of interior conversion. In particular, they thought they knew for sure who were the "weeds" and who were the "wheat." And they were sure that those whom they rejected were rejected by God also. The gospels tell us that Jesus thought otherwise. 

Too many Christians today are like over-zealous servants who could not tolerate the evil weeds. In their zeal to serve God they go on a crusade against those they perceive as evil with the intention of cleaning up the church, the nation, or the world. In the end they discover they have made a big mistake.

Anecdote:  A little boy not familiar with an echo thought he had heard in the woods the voice of another boy not far off. He shouted: “Hello, there!” and the voice shouted back, “Hello, there!” He cried again: “Who are you?” and the voice replied, “Who are you?” He cried once more: “You mean boy,” and the cry came back: “You mean boy.” Then this little boy went home and told his mother that there was a bad boy in the woods. His mother understood how it was and said to him, “Well, speak kindly to him and see if he does not speak kindly to you.” The boy went to the woods again and shouted, “You are a good boy.” “Of course, the echoing reply came, “You are a good boy.” “I love you,” he said loudly. “I love you,” replied the faithful echo. The story of the echo is the story of the good and bad in life.

Joke:  An elderly woman called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car had been broken in to.

She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried.

The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way."

A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." He says. "She got in the back-seat by mistake."

Practical Applications:1) We need to practice patience and show mercy.  Let us patiently and lovingly treat the “weeds” in our society as our brothers and sisters and do all in our power to put them back on the right road to heaven, especially by our good example and our fervent prayer for their conversion.

2) We need to grow up as healthy wheat in God’s field, leaving the weeds for Jesus to take care of.  The Good News is that growth and maturity are probably the most effective forms of weed control.  In the end, it’s enough to know that we are “seeds” who have been planted by God and that we are part of a healthy harvest that will someday be reaped by the angels of God.  Our exemplary Christian lives will be a compelling challenge and a forceful invitation to evildoers to repent of their sinful lives and turn to God.

Introduction:  Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message:  In his patience, the Lord allows both weeds and wheat to grow together, both saints and sinners to respond to salvation in the Kingdom.  This Lord is good and forgiving, lenient to all, desiring repentance for our sins. May the Spirit assist us in our weaknesses!

Saints and Events in this Week:  22-Twenty Second-Tuesday-Saint Mary Magdalene; 23-Wednesday-Saint Bridget of Sweden, religious; 24-Twenty Forth-Thursday-Saint Sharbel Makhluf, priest; 25-Twenty Fifth-Saint James, Apostle; 26-Twenty Sixth-Saturday-Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.