A Cycle – 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 23

Mt. 13:24-43

Once again, the disciples failed to understand the meaning of the parables Jesus used to describe the Kingdom of God. To us in this century, we may find their lack of understanding ridiculous because we have grown up hearing these parables. In fact, they are so familiar to us we hear them and ignore their important message. Jesus tells us plainly He is talking about the end of the age when all will be restored to its intended glory.  There is no confusion about what is required of us to survive and be among those who are taken up on the last day.  But it does not seem eminent, therefore it is not critical for us to respond.   

In our minds, the end of time is a long way off but at the same time we know life is uncertain.  We have experienced death of our grandparents, parents, children, and friends.  We have felt the pain of parents who lost their children before they even had a chance to hold them.  We fail to realize we do not have the luxury of time.  We do not even know how to live in the Kingdom of God here on earth.  The Kingdom Jesus said he came to usher into the world.  It is in that kingdom we learn the lessons of discipleship and become good seed producing a harvest. It is in that kingdom we need to become Leven changing the nature of others whose faith is dull and lifeless. It is in that Kingdom we need to grow and avoid the weeds that seek to choke out our ability to feed others.

Perhaps we need to awaken ourselves to the reality of how apathy is at work deceiving us into believing we are good enough and acceptable to God.  Our faith has taught us to measure ourselves by our ability to conform to the dictates of our faith.  By that measure we are more than good, we often are excellent because we show up.  We avoid serious sin, and we are often seen serving others.  But the measure of God is not what we do but who we become by embracing Christ as Lord and have discovered the Kingdom of God on earth. 

Jesus could have been more precise in His description of the Kingdom of God.  But if you take the time to think about it, how can we describe something that has no earthly reference point?  We can stand in awe as we see a spectacular sunrise or sunset. But words fail us as we try to describe it to others.  We like Jesus can only describe what it is like, not what it was. 

But our real dilemma in describing the Kingdom of God to someone who has not experienced it is because words are inadequate.  We cannot describe what it is like to daily feel God’s presence even during unspeakable tragedy.  We the feeling of knowing God has forgiven our worst sin is hard to describe because it is more than forgiven it is forgotten.  We do not feel any need to perform acts of mercy to atone for our sin because we have experienced forgiveness wash over us and freed us from all taint of our past sins. 

We hear the voice of God and the promptings of the Spirit as we live in the Kingdom of God on earth and understand they are molding us and transforming us into the image of Jesus.  It is there where we know our ability to impact others does not depend on the size of our talent but on our willingness to believe and trust in God. It is there that we know we are Leaven that will cause others to rise and become food for others.  It is there where we are given the wisdom to understand the words of God and allow them to guide us. 

If you have never felt this Kingdom of God touch your heart, perhaps those weeds planted by the enemy of God have invaded the ground where your roots are planted.  The question is what to do with the weeds that have invaded your soil.  That is the question the disciples asked Jesus.  Jesus allowed those weeds to grow and take the nourishment away from the seed He planted. Because Jesus knew that seed, He planted will grow and produce fruit. It only needs to survive the period the weeds are trying to choke it out. That time we recognize and acknowledge the weeds have invaded our lives. 

Until that moment comes, our showing up allows us to survive until God is ready to change the soil we have are growing in, where our roots draw nourishment.   Every time we show up God gives us an opportunity to let Him take over and touch our hearts.  To open our eyes to see and our ears to hear, and hearts to respond.  God desires to free us to grow into holy men and women of God.   Today is that day, now is that moment and all you need to do to make it happen is say Yes Lord.  Yes, I have tried it my way for far too long, this day I surrender to your plan for my salvation.