Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 23 July 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 23 July 2023
Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-43
The first parable we heard just reminds us of the old dictum, “All that glitters is not gold.” Everyone who appears to be a Christian is not a true Christian. Hence, we need to caution ourselves while approaching them. However, it is not up to us to pass judgment and isolate them. There are three reasons for it: first, deciding between the weed and the wheat is not easy. They look so similar to each other. Second, the roots are so intertwined, you cannot de-weed without hurting the wheat if not you unintentionally destroy some wheat along with the weeds. Finally, we humans have the possibility of conversion once we let the Word of God work within us. Hence we must be non-judgmental about others and ourselves, and let the Word of God work. The second and third parables tell how the Word of God works.
The kingdom of God does not make a noisy entry. It works like yeast in flour. It transforms the flour considerably. The transformation is within, but the result is self-evident. The flour is thus ready to be cooked or baked to make it better bread. It happens because the flour lets the yeast work within.
Let the word of God work within you, and witness the miracle happening within you. Those who have let the Word of God work in them have transformed considerably. The flour that does not let the yeast work within renders itself useless and worthy to be thrown away.
Let the word of God work consistently within us, the result could be visible over some time. We are going to be better and more refined human beings. We are going to be worthy of God. We are going to be Christians in all senses of the word Christian.
To let it happen, we need to help ourselves with the Word of God every day, we need to nourish ourselves with the Holy Eucharist, and we need to be in close contact with Jesus through our prayers. We need to let Jesus remove the stains of sin through His holy blood at confession. We need to make our lives holy by promptly receiving the sacraments. Yes, we need to let Jesus do His works in our lives.
Let Jesus work within you, and see and enjoy the results. Many great saints were ordinary ones like many of us. But when they let Jesus work within themselves the results were terrific. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a good example. She let Jesus work within her, and later on, she let Jesus work through her. Subsequently, she passed on the yeast to hundreds and thousands of women and men, who continue the mission to this day.
Let Jesus forgive through you. Let Jesus care for the needy through you. Let Jesus comfort the desolate through you. Let Jesus love your family and neighbors through you. In a word, let Jesus work through you.
Amen.
