Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 17, 2011
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43

Matthew continues to describe the kingdom of heaven by using parables - this time using three images from rural life: weeds among the wheat, the growth of the mustard seed, and the leaven used in bread-baking. The wisdom of faithful believers is to mirror God's justice. In other words, the just one is wise. This comes out strongly in the parable of the weeds and wheat where the two plant types will grow side-by-side and cannot be easily separated. Patience and tolerance is needed until the final sorting out that comes from God in the end days. The kingdom is a mixed body of saints and sinners on earth. We cannot judge one another; we merely have to live as fully as we can and let others do the same.

The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven points to the almost invisible nature of the kingdom. It has existed since the beginning of time and has been hidden by sight, but it is sudden and surprising that it will blossom in its full grandeur. It becomes so large that even many birds will come and dwell in its branches. It shows forth its universal hospitality. All are welcome. Likewise with the yeast, a movement that is small and insignificant is able to have a monumental effect on the whole of society. God's plan has been in the works since creation and it is unfolding in rapid fashion before the eyes of many with the advent of the ministry of Jesus. Leaven is a symbol of God's power. Not only that, it is possible to see God present and active in everyday events if one is able to contemplate them with wonder and awe.

Patience is necessary in this life. When we admit we are not the center of the world, we take the burden of judging others off of us. We are better off when we take care of our small role in life and let the bigger issues get worked out by others. We will feel free from the responsibility that is not rightly ours. Control is an illusion. We never really have it and yet we fight to hold onto what little we have. In this parable's case, let us live in freedom and do our best to be morally responsible for our own lives and those within our direct charge.

While Jesus reveals the nature of God and God's kingdom in parables, the reading from Wisdom plainly gives us great characteristics of God. God's power is best expressed in unusual ways, like when mercy is granted in place of punishment, when the perfection of power is disbelieved, with leniency instead of force, and when reconciliation and hope are offered in times of despair. No other god can care for us in the same way.

We assume too much in our faith without great discernment. We might want to test our assumptions and images more than we do. Jesus challenged the people of his time to consider what the kingdom of heaven is like. His parables shed light on the characteristics of God's heart and mind, but they left a lot of room for the imagination to fill in the blanks. It is consoling to know that we can grow like the kingdom of heaven when we realize God's active presence in us and all things.

The possibilities for our freedom is great if we can honestly look upon ourselves humbly before God and see the awesomeness of God's work. We are not in charge and bringing the kingdom forward will occur because it is God's choice. Our part is to continue to act with God's sense of mercy and to be kind to others. Our small actions will advance God's magnifying work. It is wonderful to behold the ways our goodness balloons because of God's power. Let's be content to bring God's goodness to our small corner of the world. The hidden plan of salvation is clearly visible to those who behold God.

Themes for this Week’s Masses

First Reading: In Exodus, the Pharaoh changed his mind and sent chariots after the fleeing unarmed Israelites. Moses petitioned God to provide a safe passage for them to freedom when they ran into the Red Sea; the sea split in two and the people passed through it on dry land. The advancing Egyptians were swallowed up by the flowing sea - losing every soldier and chariot. The people rejoiced because the Lord showed them favor. They then set out for the desert of Sin where they became hungry. Through Moses, the Lord provided bread from heaven each night to satisfy their aching stomachs. In the third month since their liberation, the Lord appeared to Moses in a dense cloud and set fire in the mountains. As Moses went up the mountain, the Lord delivered a set of commandments that would bring people to freedom. The people assented to the Lord's commandments joyfully and set a sacrifice as a sign of their acceptance of the covenant.

Gospel: Scribes and Pharisees want to see a sign from Jesus and he scolds them for being an unfaithful generation. They cannot see what is before their eyes. The crowds tell Jesus his mother and brothers want to speak with him about what he is doing; he replies that the one who is doing the will of God is his mother and brother and sister. Jesus begins to tell parables about the kingdom of heaven. He begins by telling the one about the sower who sows seeds on various soil types. He explains that parables are meant for those who can comprehend the larger meaning of the story. This fulfills Isaiah's prophecy about seeing and hearing. Jesus explains the meaning of the parable telling them that their acceptance (soil) of the word (seed) of God will lead for greater understanding of the kingdom of heaven.

Saints of the Week

Monday: Camillus de Lellis (1550-1614), began his youthful life as a soldier where he squandered away his father's inheritance through gambling. He was cared for by Capuchins, but was unable to join them because of a leg ailment. He cared for the sick in hospitals that were deplorable. He founded an order that would care for the sick and dying and for soldiers injured in combat.

Wednesday: Apollinaris, bishop and martyr (1st century) was chosen directly by Peter to take care of souls in Ravenna. He lived through the two emperors whose administrations exiled and tortured him, though he was faithful to his evangelizing work to his death.

Thursday: Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor (1559-1619) was a Capuchin Franciscan who was proficient in many languages and well-versed in the Bible. He was selected by the pope to work for the conversion of the Jews and to fight the spread of Protestantism. He held many positions in the top administration of the Franciscans.

Friday: Mary Magdalene, apostle (1st century), became the "apostle to the apostles" as the first witness of the resurrection. Scriptures point to her great love of Jesus and she stood by him at the cross and brought spices to anoint his body after death. We know little about Mary though tradition conflates her with other biblical woman. Luke portrays her as a woman exorcised of seven demons.

This Week in Jesuit History

·         Jul 17, 1581. Edmund Campion was arrested in England.

·         Jul 18, 1973. The death of Fr. Eugene P Murphy. Under his direction the Sacred Heart Hour, which was introduced by Saint Louis University in 1939 on its radio station [WEW], became a nationwide favorite.
·         Jul 19, 1767. At Naples, Prime Minister Tannic, deprived the Jesuits of the spiritual care of the prisoners, a ministry that they had nobly discharged for 158 years.
·         Jul 20, 1944. An abortive plot against Adolf Hitler by Claus von Stauffenberg and his allies resulted in the arrest of Fr. Alfred Delp.
·         Jul 21, 1773. In the Quirinal Palace, Rome, the Brief for the suppression of the Society was signed by Clement XIV.
·         Jul 22, 1679. The martyrdom at Cardiff, Wales, of St Phillip Evans.
·         Jul 23, 1553. At Palermo, the parish priests expressed to Fr. Paul Achilles, rector of the college, indignation that more than 400 persons had received Holy Communion in the Society's church, rather than in their parish churches.