GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 26TH JULY 2016
TUESDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE)
1ST READING: Jeremiah 14:17-22
PSALM: Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:36-43
THEME: WHEAT & WEED
The words “wheat” and “weed” are similar both in syllable and sound and yet they are not the same. In their first stage of growth, they look alike but in their final stage the difference stands out clearly. One fulfils the purpose of the owner of a field and the other seeks to defeat it. One is destined to be harvested and put into a barn for a good end, while the other would be collected and burned up in fire.
In explaining the parable of the weeds among the wheat, Jesus, in our Gospel text, says, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age” (Mat 13:37-40).
We are often inclined to conclude that a person who holds a bible in his hands and is always in church is a wheat, forgetting that weeds can be found anywhere. We hastily conclude that a person who sits in a drinking bar/pub and whiles away time with friends is a weed, forgetting that wheat can also sprout among weeds.
The day of harvest is a common biblical expression for the time of God’s judgement. On that day, “the Son of Man”, according to Jesus, “will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers” (Mat 13:41).
Abraham Lincoln is often credited with the quote, “You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”. A day is coming when we will each stand in the light of God and our true characters will be glaringly visible.
May we spend sometime this day and soberly re-examine our lives. Let us pray for repentance and renewal that we may be authentic wheat on the earth and not weeds masquerading as wheat.
Eternal Father, someday I will see you face to face. May that day be one of joy and not pain. For the sake of Christ, I pray. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)