Waiting til the Harvest ~ Reflection of the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 12:13, 16-19
Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16, (5a)
Rom 8:26-27
Mt 13:24-30

This week in Matthew's Gospel, we are again given an example of a farmer sowing his seed; this time with the intention of growing wheat. However, this time we are told that his enemy comes along during the night and sows weeds all through the wheat. What should the farmer do when he discovers that his wheat field has weeds growing all through it? Should he immediately pull up all the weeds even though some of the wheat will surely be pulled up along with it?

"No," says Jesus. The farmer instructs his workers to wait til the harvest when both wheat and weeds have matured and then pull the weeds first to be burned. Then the wheat can be harvested and placed in the barn.

We can see in this parable how much the Lord cares for even the most insignificant ones of us. Just as the farmer did not want to lose even one grain of wheat, the Lord doesn't want to lose any one of us. After all, we are his adopted sons and daughters. The Lord gives us every grace to grow in his Love. He give us every opportunity to repent of our sins. He wants even the least of us to inherit the Kingdom.

Even the psalmist recognized this as he glorified the Lord:

"You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity." (Ps 86:15)

The Book of Wisdom also reminds us of the justice, power and clemency of our God. His actions on our behalf bring us hope that we will be found worthy of a place in the Kingdom. (Wis 12:13 ff)



~ Image from A Capuchin Journey