Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s Gospel reading is one of my favorites. Jesus tells the parable of the wheat that was infested with weeds. An “enemy” comes and plants weeds in the soil before the wheat could grow. The farmer comes later and finds that weeds have grown in the wheat. This harms the crop, but it doesn’t totally hinder it. The farmer orders that the wheat be allowed to stay until the harvest, and then the weeds will be separated from the wheat.

This field of wheat is a symbol for the world. We live in a world that is imperfect. We do not see things that are perfect. There has been endless debate in philosophy and theology about why God would create such an imperfect world. A person could work to build something, and then lose it all at once. The “weeds” in life never seem to go away. Yet, we are called not to lose hope. We believe that God will act justly for His “might is the source of justice” (Wisdom). We mustn’t be afraid, either. Our Lord is not a merciless tyrant. Just as the book of Wisdom tells us, the Lord will “judge will clemency” despite His power. He gives His people time to come to “repentance for their sins.”

We will struggle with our weaknesses while we await the harvest. Just think of the disciples in another Gospel story where they picked grain to eat on a Sabbath. They gave in out of weakness yet Jesus forgave them. We are not alone in our foibles. We have the Holy Spirit to help us who “comes to the aid of our weakness” (Romans 8:26). This often-neglected friend searches the heart and knows our intentions. He “intercedes for the holy ones by the will of God” (Romans 8:27). We find holiness when we earnestly seek to fulfill God’s will in our lives. Let’s not be discouraged. We can turn to God with the belief that our faith will be rewarded.

So, don’t let the weeds separate you from the wheat. Focus on your own conversion. We are not passive bystanders in this world. We can turn our sins over to Christ, and choose to be “good wheat.” We can commit ourselves to a lifelong conversion of heart.

Reflection: Mother (Saint) Theresa once said, “What you build today could be torn down. Build anyway.” What good work have you done which seems to have faltered? Are you tempted to uproot the wheat because of those weeds? I can say to you with confidence, persevere until the harvest time!

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB