Dear friends,
After the parable of the sower, Jesus proposes to us another parable today: the parable of the weeds that grows alongside the wheat. Here again, we are given the opportunity to hear the call to conversion and repentance.
Very seldom, we want to hear about the Last Judgment. This is because we take salvation for granted. Sometimes we even connect salvation either with the length of our baptism time, or how often we pray or come to Holy Mass. While all these are good acts of devotion, we are reminded that still we have a long way to go. All these acts of devotion should take flesh in our tangible actions of love and justice in our daily life. In today’s parable we are told that God is patient. He gives us a second chance. Humanly speaking, the weeds cannot change to wheat; but from God’s side nothing is impossible. He said through the prophet Ezekiel that He takes no pleasure in the death of a wicked person; rather He wants him/her to repent and live (Ezekiel 18:23).
Once again, I would like to approach this parable from another perspective. Let us search within ourself and let us consider ourself as the entire field. God has sown goodness in us as He created us in His own image. Yet there are weeds within us which make us act in opposition to our Godlike identity. Where and what could still be seen as weeds in there that is growing alongside wheat in us. What are we complaisant about in our life that we let grow alongside good actions which should define us? And how long am I going to let it take root and grow in my daily life? Time has come for us uproot all that sow division, hate, injustice in our hearts and in our community. God gives us a second chance for us to uproot everything contrary to his will and love from our hearts and life.
The signs of repentance we are to demonstrate in our daily life are many. However, we very often miss the point when we focus on extraordinary actions. The parable of the mustard seed that follows the one we read today is a tell it all story. The small actions we neglect in our daily life, and we consider of no effects, are the ones Jesus calls us to consider today for us to make a difference. Consider today to show patient toward someone who does not share your convictions or ideas; think today about how often you have missed to put a smile on another person’s face; and finally, during these very trying times of COVID-19, consider how great is the difference you can make by following the protocols and showing charity towards others…
I would like to thank you all for your courage to look in the same direction during this difficult time. I know how hard it is to do things we feel uncomfortable about. However, the love of God that defines us gives us the courage and strength to sacrifice ourself for the sake of others. This is our way of fulfilling the Greatest Commandment: No one has greater love than that of laying one’s one life for the sake of others… And let us continue to pray for one another and for our parish family.
Fr. Emery