Readings: Jeremiah 7:1-11, Ps. 84:3-6,8,11, Matthew 13:24-30
“Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, …and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are safe!’ only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? You know, I too am watching, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 7:9-11)
A few days ago, we heard the Parable of the Sower. Today, Jesus tells another agricultural parable. Unlike the farmer who generously scattered his seeds everywhere, the farmer in this parable prepared the ground and planted wheat in his field of rich soil. While everyone slept that night, an enemy sowed weeds among the wheat, which went unnoticed until the wheat began sprouting. What are the lessons contained in this parable?
- Like the weeds planted beside the wheat, we entertain deceptive ideas as Christians without realising their full implication. An example is the saying: “Once saved, forever saved.” Some of us believe that so long as you have given your life to Christ (received baptism), heaven is sure regardless of what you do. This was the problem Jeremiah addressed in today’s first reading. How do you engage in horrific acts (stealing, murder, adultery, idolatry, etc.) secretly and then come publicly before God in His temple to say, “We are safe”? Do you think God is blind?
- Jeremiah’s words are very similar to Isaiah’s, which we read a few days ago: “I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. My soul hates your new moons and appointed festivals; they have become a burden to me, and I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil…” (Isaiah 1:13-16). We behave as if God is a human who sees only what we do in the Church.
- Nowadays, it is very difficult to distinguish Christians from Churchgoers, just as it is difficult to distinguish the wheat from the weeds while they are still young. We call ourselves children of God; we come to Church every day, claim blessings and shout “I receive it” to prayers and prophetic declarations, yet we commit all kinds of atrocities and abominations. Instead of repenting from our sins, we now go to Church to be entertained with beautiful music, trending dance steps and motivational talks. As Jeremiah says, we have turned God’s house into a den of robbers – a nightclub where criminals go to relax and have fun, a place where people dress indecently and transact unholy businesses.
- Amid all the atrocities occurring today (under the guise of the Church), God appears to be quiet. In this parable, the servants asked the householder: “Do we go and gather up the weeds?” “No,” said the householder. “If you do that, you will also kill the wheat. Let them grow together until the day of harvest.” Do not assume that everybody you see in Church is a Christian. Jesus said: “On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
- The good news for us today is that while weeds can never become wheat (even though the weeds and the wheat grow together), we can transform ourselves from weeds to wheat by turning away from all our sins. God says: “If you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly one with another, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your hurt, then I will dwell with you in this place.” (Jeremiah 7:5-7). Repent today. Tomorrow is not certain.
- Finally, Jesus’ parable is a call to avoid labelling everyone as the same. There are a lot of weeds in the Church today. There is also wheat among us. There are so many so-called men and women of God who will not make heaven. This does not mean there are no saints in the making, either. Look out for the wheat, be inspired by them and try to emulate them. And if you can’t find any, become the wheat for God’s kingdom. Be a role model.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us to serve you so that we may be counted among the wheat and not the weed at the end of our lives. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 16 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 7:1-11, Ps. 84:3-6,8,11, Matthew 13:24-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu