Walking with Jesus: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, July 23, 2023

Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43

We’ve all been there: A friend shared how the family was off on a long-awaited vacation to the Outer Banks. The car was loaded to the gills with coolers, toys, books, games, swimming gear and loads of food and snacks. The kids were anxious from the moment the car got to I-64 … and then it started. Traffic was terribly slow … the tunnel was stop-and-go … they were stuck behind a slowpoke. The kids were beyond listening to excuses; wisely they absorbed themselves in phones and games. Finally they passed the slowpoke and cruised along, grateful to be moving, trying to make for up lost time ... resenting the rudeness in tailgaters. A few miles later, with peace restored in the car, boom! The car hit a pothole that flattened a tire. Frightened, the children whimpering, envisioning the horror of unpacking the trunk to get at the spare ... wondering what the slowpokes would say ... think ... gesture ... as they passed. Surprisingly they stopped, saying, “it looks like you need help and we’re in no hurry.” Out of tragedy a lesson: undeserved kindness. How many similar stories reappear from our memory banks? Sometimes we even reflect: Is there a message in this from God? If we do reflect, often there is a message. Do I listen to that message? Do I even want to hear it? When I do, I’m better; when I don’t, the same old grudges continue to surface.

We are extremely good at evaluating situations and feel that we are in control. In doing so, we can create more chaos than order, more frustration than calmness.  When we take time to reflect, we can own up to the situation, even noticing God’s presence and learning to accept the “mystery” without understanding. We look to the readings for help in understanding God’s kingdom and plan.

At this point in the book, the author of Wisdom presents several contrasts from Exodus. In each example God protects those living His way and challenges the disbelievers to change how they are living. Today we hear about God’s purpose for humankind. “There is no god besides You who have the care of all …” [Wisdom 12:13] Three times we hear about God’s power, only to learn emphatically that it is the source of His justice. God doesn’t have to prove His overwhelming power because He is continually leading the people to trust in Him. His purpose is conversion rather than condemnation. The author emphasizes God’s patience, understanding, mercy and care for all. In seeing God’s compassion, they learn to be kind as God is kind, and have every reason to place complete hope in God. Do we allow ourselves to do the same?

Paul knows that in our human weakness we have many distractions that keep us from praying or even wondering if we are praying in the right way or using the “acceptable words.” Paul says it so simply: That the Holy Spirit, God, knows all our needs, knows where we are hurting, and brings our doubts, confusion, and needs to the Father. We “tell it like it is” and express our “help prayer,” being still and in the peace of the Spirit. God knows, God cares, God loves.

Jesus goes on to give three parables to help the people understand the meaning of the “kingdom of heaven.” Each story reveals that something is hidden: How does the growth in the seeds happen? How are the wheat and weeds separated? How does the mustard seed, so small, grow so large? Jesus dismisses the crowd and then tells the disciples what the “kingdom of heaven” means so we too can listen. The main point is to practice patience: Matthew’s audience has been resisting Jesus’ teaching … be patient. The weeds and the wheat need patience. Small at first, the mustard seed will grow very large … be patient. God’s reign over the whole world may seem hidden, and so many questions like war, violence, killing, vengeance, prejudice, abuse … so much hurt ... may continue, but when it comes to God’s will, it will be done. Be patient.

So I reflect on:

• Power is just and kind and unjust and hurtful. Where does power hurt/help in our words? Our actions? In relationships? Where do they show God?
• Considering the tension between justice and kindness, what insights do you gain about the ultimate power and mercy that come from God?

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“The master in the story recognized the work of the enemy but did not let it alter his course or define his life; his concern remained with his field of wheat, his eye on the harvest it could yield. Help me, God, to be able to know and to name what impoverishes me but to keep my eye and heart on what You are doing and what You desire for me.”