“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Sunday, 23rd July 2017.
Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Wis 12: 13, 16-19;
Ps 85: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16;
Rom 8: 26-27;
Mt 13: 24-43
WITNESS OF GOD’S LOVE TO THE WORLD
The world came out good from the hand of God. Creation began with the separation of light from darkness (Gen 1:4). God said, “Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night” (Gen 1:14). “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31). From that day, man, unconsciously fears the opposites bring chaos. He instinctively established a separation between good and evil, pure and impure, holy and unholy. The presence of evil remains an enigma, a disturbing element that man cannot stand. He does not accept serenely the reality of the world in which good and evil are destined to live together.
In today’s passage from the Book of Wisdom, the author speaks of the ‘Justice of God.’ God does not use His strength to punish. He uses it only for the good of man. This is his righteousness: to use tolerance towards all. His dominion is universal; it covers the just and the wicked. He cannot love only some, he loves all. While people use their power to instill fear and respect, or subjugate the weak and force them to remain subdued. God, however, despite being the owner of power, does not use it to impose his sovereignty; he does not resort to punishment, retaliation or revenge, but, with all, even with the wicked, he shows mercy and kindness.
In today’s reading Paul honestly acknowledges that, we do not know how to pray. The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness and suggests to us the words that we must address to the Father. To pray to God is to open the mind and the heart to his light and let oneself be ready to accept his will in every moment of life. The prayer that comes from the Spirit is always answered because it is in conformity with the desires of God. It is not trying to bend his will to ours but gets our conversion to him.
In the Gospel, with three other parables, Jesus gradually reveals the mystery of the kingdom of heaven. Where does the weed come from? The enigma of the existence of evil demands an explanation. Matthew gives it with a parable of Jesus. The first character is the owner. He represents God. He is the one who sows, the one responsible for the quality of the seed. The second character is the enemy. He represents the logic of this world. He comes at night and, while everyone is asleep, sowing tares, a kind of weed very similar to grain. Its roots are intertwined with those of the wheat and are impossible to eradicate without tearing the wheat also. The third character are the servants. They represent each of us. Their reaction is what we experience when we realize the existence of evil in the world, in the Christian community, in every person. They show their interest in the field, their commitment to production. They are taken by impatience, anxiety of immediately getting rid of the weeds. The owner, however keeps calm. He is not surprised of the incident. The perspective of God is however different and tells them to allow the wheat and weeds to grow together. In this world, good and evil are not separated. They are destined to grow together until the end. God’s plan for us too contemplates the presence of evil, which must be serenely accepted, as a component of life. The presence of weeds in us is meant to be. “There is no righteous man on earth who always does good and never sins” (Ecl 7:20). Evil is not to be justified, of course, but Jesus urges us to consider it with the calm and patient eyes of God.
The parable is followed by two twin parables. They are called “twins” because they contain the same message: the disproportion between the small beginning and the unexpected great result. A grain of mustard seed, almost invisible, gives rise to a shrub that can reach four feet in height; a few grams of yeast makes fifty pounds of flour rise. The contrast is enormous. These parables are an invitation for optimism, trust in the irresistible force of God.
The parables are an allegory of us and the Christian community. The seed is not the logic of the kingdom, but the Son of God Jesus. Probably, the early Christians were a bit more relaxed and did not take seriously the commitments of their baptism. Matthew feeling the need to shake them, to recall them to the seriousness of life. He did not intend to describe what will happen to sinners in the future but was addressing an urgent, heartfelt call to the Christians. “He did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but through him, the world is to be saved” (Jn 3:17). And what about the fire? God knows a single fire: his Spirit which descended on the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:3). “I have come to bring fire upon the earth and how I wish it were already kindled” (Lk 12:49). It is the unstoppable flame that will burn, all traces of weeds in the heart of every person, leaving only the good grain, the only one that will be admitted in the future world. It’s not a threat of punishment, but a good announcement: the fire of God, His Spirit will one day wipe out all forms of evil. In the kingdom of heaven, now in its completion, there will not be anyone doing iniquity.
The second parable about the small mustard seed tells us that no person is too unworthy or too sinful or too weak to be out of reach of the Kingdom. Consequently, no person, however righteous and devout, can claim to have a greater right to the Kingdom. God can reap a great harvest from the most insignificant soul. When a person humbly surrenders to the Lord, choosing His will in everything, the fruits are wonderful and marvelous.
The third parable of the leaven in the dough confirms this truth. Many of us may think that we are too insignificant to bring about change in our society. Leaven is always added in small amounts. Yet the effect permeates the whole batch of dough. Christians are called to be the leaven in society to make this world a better place. If we are true witnesses of Christ, the gospel values would inevitably spread to all around. Our role in the world, therefore, is very important and essential. This is our call as Christians; to be “the light of the world”, “the salt of the earth”; “the wheat among the weeds”; “the mustard seed that grows into a tree and provides shelter to the birds”; “the leaven in the dough”; “the witness of God’s love to the world.” Let this be our constant prayer to the Lord, that we may be transformed in order to bring about transformation, so that more souls may come to know the love of God and become citizens of his Kingdom.
Prayer: Lord, I am a sinner, and You alone are Holy. Give me your strength and grace to live a life according your will. May I stand strong amidst of the lies and evil that surround me. Let me always keep my eyes upon You, our Divine Shepherd. May I be the witness of your love to my family, my neighborhood and Church. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.