by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB
On this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, it is as if St. Matthew seeks to prove a point. He will say that Jesus never spoke to the crowds without parables (Mt 13:34). Matthew’s choices last Sunday and this are often called ‘Parables of the Kingdom.’ God created us to be saved in our earthly journey toward him, and to live with him forever. He so loved us despite human sinfulness, that he sent his beloved Son to reopen for us the Kingdom . That is what Jesus taught. That is what he wanted his Church to teach, and that is what his Apostle Matthew was determined to do.
Last week we heard of varied responses to the word of God: total irreligious recklessness, or perhaps halfhearted shallow responses like seed that falls on pathways, or rocks, or on thorny ground. These people live dangerously. There are others, however, who are good seed in good soil. They offer a willing response and are brought into God’s harvest in heaven. Matthew also added two quick parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is like the tiniest of seeds sown, yet it becomes a spreading bush, a nest for many; or it is like leaven in dough, Christians kneaded into the rest of humanity until the whole mass is raised. The Kingdom of Heaven starts right here on earth.
The chief lesson this week regards obstacles that arise to curb accepting the seed sown by Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man. His word is surely good and Is meant to help toward salvation. This is God’s plan, but there are enemies, demons who cunningly also spread bad seed. Those who labor for God might want immediately to tear out these evil weeds. We too may wonder why God doesn’t just quickly destroy these spoilers of his harvest. Simply, this is reality in creation after sin. We have free will. God wants us to use it to choose him. Those who don’t will surely be punished.The Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus asked us to pray to the Father, that his Kingdom come. The Father grants us salvation through his Son. Jesus is for us the Way. He is the Truth. With him we are destined to enter Eternal Life. We say we trust in him. But we are free creatures. He wants us to prove ourselves by a life in harmony with him.