Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-13, Matthew 13:36-43
“They will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire.” *(Matthew 13:41-42)*_
In today’s Gospel passage, we see Jesus explaining the parable of the wheat and the weeds. In this parable, Jesus was not talking about non-Christians neither was he talking about anyone outside the territory of God’s kingdom.
On the day of our baptism, God admitted us into his kingdom and we now answered the name, Christian. However as time went on, Satan sowed very bad seeds in our hearts so instead of bearing fruits, we became weeds (useless plants) misusing God’s gifts freely bestowed on us and living below God’s expectations.
Some Christians are a disgrace to the body of Christ; not only do they fail to bear the right fruits needed, but they also prevent others from doing so through scandal, peer influence and outright wickedness. Let us look inwards and examine our hearts: “Who am I in God’s kingdom? Wheat or weed. What kind of influence do I have on others?”
Jesus did not tell this parable to frighten us or pronounce anyone as condemned. The fact that Jesus concludes with the statement: “He who has ears, let him hear” shows that Jesus gave the parable as an admonition to us. As we listen to (or read) this homily, God is giving us an opportunity to do two things.
One, let us identify and clear out the weeds in our heart that is making us look like weeds. Two, following the prayer of Jeremiah in today’s first reading, let us humble ourselves and beg for God’s mercy and His grace to live up to our true calling as God’s children. Jeremiah prays: “O Lord we acknowledge our wickedness, we have sinned against you… do not break your covenant with us” and our Psalmist adds: “For the sake of the glory of your name, free us O Lord.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from the web of sin that I may begin to bear good fruits once again. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.