Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The 13th Chapter of Matthew’s gospel is a unique composition by the author. There are two things that make it unique. First, it contains eight parables and sometimes together they are called the “day of the parables.” The second unique feature is that, as beautiful as the parables are, the focus is not the parables themselves. The focus is on the “mysteries of the reign of God. Towards the middle of today’s gospel Matthew says, “All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation [of the world].” (Mt 13:34-35). The parable of the Sower and the Seeds last Sunday and parables of the weeds among the wheat, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the yeast in the dough all reveal some deeper reality of God’s kingdom.
In a very real sense, then, to focus merely on the parables is to miss the point. We should really be focusing on the mysteries of the Kingdom of God that these parables reveal.
I want to offer three points for us to reflect upon.
Looking Deeper
After Jesus shared the parable of the Sower and the Seed, the disciples asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus replied, “This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” And then Jesus ends the parables by saying, “Whoever has ears ought to hear!” I understand Jesus’ answer to mean that the parables are not merely stories with a twist or a moral. Parables are about a pedagogy – a method of teaching and learning. Parables by their nature invite us to look deeper. Only the one willing to look deeper will go beyond the parable. And to only the one who is willing to go deeper will the mysteries of the kingdom of God be revealed.
Here is the practical implication of Jesus’ parables for us. Because of technology and our numerous gadgets and apps, we have to make a heroic effort to overcome superficiality. An average adult spends between 1 – 1:15 hours of quality time on their smart phone. This adds up to 7 – 9 hours a week, 240 hours a month and 2,816 hours a year! Add to this the fact that life is hard for most of us. We spend hours at work or at school, there are children, grandchildren, and tough schedules to manage. Add to this the fact that materialism and consumerism has the power to strip us of our capacity for depth. Jesus’ parables, on the other hand, are an invitation to seek the deeper realities of life. In our superficial world, as Jesus says, we can often “hear but not understand; look but not see.” Today’s parables are inviting us to enter the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. How can we do that? We can do this prioritizing time and making time for prayer, meditation, silence, and contemplation.
Mystery of the Reign of God
The question that we should ask, then, is this: What mysteries are the parables revealing to us? Let us begin with today’s first reading. Wisdom says, “There is no God besides you who have the care of all. For your might is the source of justice and your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all” (Wis 12:13). In other words, God is not weak when God allows the weeds to grow among the wheat. Rather, as Wisdom says, “Though you are master of might, you judge with clemency… And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins” (Wis 12:16-19).
This mystery is further revealed to us in Jesus’ life. The parable of the weeds among the wheat deals with the mixed reception to Jesus’ message and ministry. Even in the post-resurrection world, some accepted Jesus and some rejected him. This is true today as well. How do we deal with the reality that some accept Jesus and other do not? The mystery that the parable of the weeds among the wheat reveals is that even though God is immensely just, powerful, and mighty, God is also immensely kind, merciful, and loving. God is patience and tolerant. God never takes away the hope that even the worse sinner may have. God is a God of second, third, limitless chances.
Small Beginnings, Great Results
There are two other parables in today’s gospel – the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast in the dough. What mysteries do these parables reveal. As I see it, these parables highlight the contrast between small beginnings and great results.
Take for example the life and ministry of Jesus. It all began with the birth of a child in a stable in small town called Bethlehem. Jesus grew up began his ministry and found both acceptance and rejection in his lifetime. He was innocence itself yet was the most merciful. He was omnipotent God yet became powerless on the cross to show us God’s love. He was the Son of Justice yet suffered injustice so that reconciliation may ever remain a possibility. He was the author of life yet endured death to lead sinners to the Kingdom of God. This one solitary life changed the course of human history. Jesus is that one mustard seed. Jesus is the leaven in the dough of the world.
Leavened by the life, message, and ministry of Jesus of Jesus, now we become the leaven in the world. The reign of God is real. It may not be accepted by all. But we become the mustard seeds, the little leaven, the one solitary life that can continue the mission Jesus began. In small ways, we continue to be the positive influence in the world.
Today in Communion we receive a little bread and little wine. It is the leaven which leavens our lives. Let us allow Jesus’ life to transform us and instead become the leaven of the world. Amen.
Fr. Satish Joseph