"He who sows good seed is the Son of Man"
Once again this Sunday we hear from Jesus the
storyteller, whose frequent method of teaching were parables about the kingdom
of Heaven. In the Christian Gospel we are well aware of Jesus teaching, his
miraculous physical healings and other miracles in which he reversed the laws
of nature such as when he walked on the Sea and stopped the violent storm by
his command, and his numerous parables.
We may treat these simple stories as charming tales which
reflected daily life in ancient times.
Yet, the purpose of parables is far more than simple stories. In fact, they are not to entertain us so much
as they are told to call us to personal reflection and conversion. One source I
read stated the purpose of the parables is to point out bad behavior and direct
us for how to create the kingdom on earth.
We need to hear them with open ears and hearts. There are many layers of meaning to them but
their basic truths are timeless. Today we hear of seeds and weeds.
Apparently the word used by Matthew to describe the weeds
refers to a commonly known plant that was the scourge of ancient farmers called
“darnel.” Normally, we would pull out
the weeds where we see them. But this
darnel apparently looked so much like the wheat in its early growth that it was
nearly impossible to identify one from the other that by the time they matured
enough with the wheat, the roots of both were so intertwined that to pull out
one would pull out the others. So wait
till harvest and then the two will be separated.
Jesus’ explanation at the end, as last week we heard of the sower and the seed, hits the mark of this story. God’s intent in creation, the “field of the world,” was the beginning. Yet, the evil one foiled the original plan of God as his enemy, and we the children of God remain in a field of good and evil; of wheat and weeds. The origin of evil in the world began with a subversive enemy.
We need not look very
far to know how prevalent are the weeds among us. In fact, this parable is an attempt to
explain the existence of evil in the world that God intends to be
redeemed. Yet, God allows or tolerates
the weeds, the great question that we all ponder constantly, in order to bring
about a great crop – a greater good. Why does evil exist? Why is the world fallen in spite of Jesus’
death and resurrection?
When we think of it, our days are a combination of life
and death, of good and evil, of sometimes having to tolerate what may seem like
a noxious choice in order to bring about a greater good. Still, why does God
tolerate evil in the world? The question
is as basic and ancient as the book of Job.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Or better, why do good things happen to bad people? The only reasonable
answer to that is some form of, “To bring about a greater good.” Yet, our human limit of what is fair or just
is confronted with God’s vision.
Yet, the medical community for all of their advancement
may need to put patients through some very uncomfortable treatment in order to
achieve the good of healing. I think of
cancer patients who are asked to tolerate the rough treatment of chemotherapy. No doctor, at least that I’ve ever met,
enjoys inflicting discomfort or pain on their patients but they know that a
temporary treatment may be necessary to achieve the hope of good health. It’s all in a way a symbol of what we know in
our everyday experience. The larger evils such as war, hunger, suffering of the
innocent still are questioned in light of this.
Here, perhaps, is where we are called to heroic faith.
Can we see the work of the evil one in the situation
today? Well consider what has happened.
Churches closed, families experiencing disruption, violence in protest, crazy
politics, uncertainty and fear, etc.
Yes, the evil one is having a time of it. Not that he sent the virus but his cunning
and calculation are causing everything he loves, especially against those who
practice faith, especially Christian communities. In one sense, though this has
been the human condition since the beginning of time. The tension between good and evil and the
aftereffects of its existence are around us.
Virtue and vice live side by side like darnel and wheat.
Still, we can have confidence that God’s mercy and love
are never diminished by darkness but are always greater and ultimately will win
in the end when the weeds and wheat are separated. I’ve often heard from folks at funerals for
example or when going through an unexpected health concern, “I don’t know how
people without faith could endure this.”
Very good point – for non-believers, where do you go?
Until that end time comes, when God separates the wheat and weeds, how are we to live by faith? One thing that seems meaningful from this parable is that God’s patience is necessary to allow for the grace of conversion. In our second reading from Wisdom we hear: "And you taught your people by these deeds . . . that you would permit repentance for their sins." Our growth in virtue needs to be watered by our cooperation with God's grace - and that may take a lifetime - yet he has all that time and more!
The application of this telling parable is fit for the
world, society, any organization, for the Church or in our personal life. When
I see sin in my own life, how seriously do I make an effort to overcome
it? Do I allow my weeds to take over or
my wheat to flourish? For those family
members who have strayed away from the Church either through some unfortunate
bad experience or simply have become indifferent or lazy, how would it be best
to show them that the Church still has great value? How patient can I be to simply set the best
example and lift them up in constant prayer and gentle invitation?
God invites all of us to embrace these parables not as
entertaining stories but lessons in how we are to live and the culture we are
called to form – the “kingdom of heaven.”
If we made efforts to re-order our lives and the culture in which we
live always for the greater good, modeled after the virtues of love,
compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace we see in the Gospel, the weeds
may find they have far less power or influence.
If we stopped complaining about every little
inconvenience and ache and pain, wouldn’t we find ourselves more concerned
about using opportunities of grace that come along as moments of conversion?
If we are really grateful to God for sending his Son who
suffered greatly surrounded by the weeds of injustice and rejection along with
the wheat of many followers, leading ultimately to the Cross and Resurrection –
our salvation – we can see our lives having real meaning and purpose.
May our share in the Eucharist be a call for us to model
our lives on the Lord of infinite patience who wishes to grace us with the
wisdom and patience to be his authentic missionary disciples in this
world.
Father, let the gift of your life
continue to grow in us,
drawing us from death to faith, hope, and love.
Keep us alive in Christ Jesus.
Keep us watchful in prayer
and true to his teaching
till your glory is revealed in us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ
your Son, who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
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