Today is the sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and our readings tell us of God’s justice and His Kingdom.
In our first reading from Wisdom, God has shown Himself to be a God of justice and mercy. Unlike earthly rulers who in their power often ignore mercy, God who has infinite power is merciful in His justice. He is patient with our weaknesses and gives us multiple chances to turn away from sin and turn toward Him. We have hope in God’s justice and mercy.
In the second reading from the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit is here to intercede for us. Especially when we do not know how or for what to pray. We have the assurance that the Holy Spirit, given to us in Baptism, prays to God on our behalf, beyond words, what is truly in our hearts. This means you and I should have greater confidence when we pray knowing the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf to take the prayers of our heart to the Father.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowd in three parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. The first parable teaches us the beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven can be found in this world. Weeds and wheat live together awaiting the harvest. But at the harvest, they will be separated. The weeds will be burned and the wheat gathered into the barn. This signifies the Kingdom of Heaven will be complete at the final judgment.
Jesus later explained to the disciples, teaching them and us, that trying to judge the progress of the Kingdom of Heaven is not for us. God alone can and will distinguish the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven and offer its reward. If we try to pull the weeds ourselves we can damage the wheat. By leaving the weeds until harvest, God gives those who do evil a chance for repentance. There is always hope.
The second and third parables teach us that from the small beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven, there will come abundance. Just as a tiny mustard seed grows into a large bush, God will also bring his Kingdom to full bloom. And as a small amount of yeast will leaven an entire loaf of bread, God will also expand his Kingdom.
Have you ever made bread from scratch? If you have not, you really should. Not only is it delicious, it can help you better understand our Gospel reading today.
To bake bread, you first gather the ingredients. Flour, water, yeast, salt, and some sugar for flavor. After all, we all want a little sweetness.
Next, the flour, salt, and sugar are mixed together. Think of these ingredients as the events in your life, and the people you meet. If you were to bake this you would get a flat bread, kind of like living life without faith. But if you add yeast and water to the mix, the dough rises. The yeast is like faith, just a little can make those ingredients rise, making your life more fulfilling.
When you make the dough, it must be kneaded to mix the ingredients making it smooth and elastic. I think of this as how God is shaping your life helping you become a new creation.
As the dough rests, it increases in size. This is like how when you rest with God and pray, your faith grows and you grow as well. Just like when you are preparing the dough, this takes time and patience.
After the dough has risen it is punched and lightly kneaded again. Think of this as the trials of life that influence who you are and sometimes test your faith. The dough is then allowed to rise again like how your faith helps you to rise above those trials of life.
When the dough has risen again, it is then baked into something delicious that can feed others. This reminds me of how as God prepares us it shapes us and turns us into someone that can serve and help others.
The parables in today’s Gospel offer both a sobering reminder about the Kingdom of God and words of encouragement. Sobering because the parable of wheat and weeds growing together until the harvest, reminds us we may not know whether our actions contribute to God’s Kingdom until the final judgment. We should pray our actions in life are consistent with God’s plans so that we can be the wheat gathered into His barn and not weeds gathered to be burned.
The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast give us words of encouragement. God brings the Kingdom of Heaven from even the smallest of beginnings. We should ask in our prayers that God will work through us for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
These small beginnings should give you hope. God is not asking you to change the world on your own. He is asking you to do your part. A small amount of yeast can make the dough more than double in size. Be the yeast in someone’s life. Let your small acts of kindness and mercy increase their joy.
Remember that even the little things you do can make a big difference in the lives of others. This week, think about some of the little things you can do in your family to make it more loving and Christ-like. Also, consider the little things you can do to make a difference in the workplace, the parish, the community, and beyond. Pray and ask God to increase your faith. Pray and let God know you are open to His plan for you. Pray and let God know you want to be an instrument of His mercy.
As you prepare to receive the Eucharist, remind yourself Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist – body, blood, soul, and divinity. As you receive him in Holy Communion, thank Jesus for his teachings and his redeeming sacrifice. After Communion, thank God for the gift of His son. Thank God for his mercy and justice. Ask God to take your seed of faith and water it with His love so that it grows into a mighty shrub. You too can then bear fruit that serves others and helps fulfill the Kingdom of God.
May God’s grace and peace be with you.
Into the Deep 