16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)

First Reading               Wisdom 12:13,16-19

Psalm                              Ps. 86:5-6,9-10,15-16

Second Reading          Romans 8:26-27

Gospel                           Matthew 13:24-43

EMBRACING CONSISTENCY AND MESSIANIC PATIENCE

Dear friends, today, the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), we continue Jesus' dialogue with the people in parables. The Gospel for this Sunday is the parable of Weeds among Wheat. This is another parable of agriculture. 

In considering the parable of Weeds among Wheat, three things shall be delved into: The fact that the WEEDS AND WHEAT WERE SOWN ON THE SAME LAND or FIELD; Whether leaving the Weeds to grow until harvest is an act of CONDONING EVIL OR MESSIANIC PATIENCE; and WHY WAS THE WHEAT UNABLE TO OVERSHADOW THE WEEDS?

The first is that both Weeds and Wheat were sown on the SAME LAND or FIELD. Whenever land is mentioned in scripture, the Garden of Eden and the Promised Land come to mind. These two are known for their fruitfulness. The Promised Land is described as flowing with milk and honey (Deut. 31: 20). This is the Land of the Israelites, God's chosen people. This is a shadow of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Historically, how did the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, British, and, today, the Americans find their way into this Land? Could they be considered Weeds among the Wheats (God's chosen people, the good seeds)? Additionally, how did the serpent find its way into the Garden of Eden?

With similar questioning, how did the evil one get to the field? We are only told when he got there, thus, "while everybody was asleep" (Matt. 13: 25). On the same land, we find both good and evil. In the same field, an archetype of a flourishing and fertile land, there is good and evil. In the world, the field Jesus uses, there is an ever-present tension between the Good and the Bad. However, the entrance of evil will be much desired for personal reflection. Possibly, by the very choices we make, we allow evil unto the same field we are in. 

Secondly, why was the wheat unable to overshadow the Weeds? The weeds likely maintained a strong root system. In fact, the Greek word for the Weeds, as used in the passage, is "ZIZANION." This word describes a false grain, a weedy rye grass with poisonous black seeds that resembles wheat in its early growth but is easily distinguished from it at maturity. 

The likelihood of maintaining a firm root system making it difficult for the wheat to overshadow it could have a special message for us. Today, people suggest to be presenting firm, sound, and seemingly cogent arguments to defend evil, making it difficult for the good seeds to win at the initial stages. So much of intellectual arguments are present in our day.

We are not told that the wheat changed their nature, and neither did the Weeds. Again, today, we face a crisis of an evil adaptation and change. The message is clear. Maintain your nature as a wheat and consistent. The Church, the good seed of the land, cannot change her nature in order to convert. What is true and worthy of imitation of the one, true Church is CONSISTENCY. 

Finally, is it an act of condoning evil, or is it one of Messianic patience? As the Weeds look like wheat at their early stages, there is a possibility of destroying both in an attempt to hastly remove the weeds. To save the wheat, the master is patient. Between the lines, we can read an alloted moment for conversion because God is ever merciful. God has given his sons the good hope that after sin, he will grant repentance (Wisdom 12: 19).

May God grant us the Grace to be consistent in good deeds and rely on his merciful help. 

Pax et Bonum 🕊 🙏 ❤️