16th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 23, 2023

Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 23, 2023, Matthew 13:24-30
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072323.cfm

Growing Together.

By no means do we live in a perfect world. There are some good days, and there are some bad days. There is too much rain or not enough rain, or it’s too hot and muggy, and how a cool breeze would be beneficial. One thing is for sure, we never complain about the snow in Seminole, Florida.

People are not perfect, either. Rarely do we meet each other’s expectations.

If we look at ourselves, we may be surprised that not one of us here today is perfect. The writing is on the wall – we all need a Savior to make things right.

So Jesus tells us the parable of the weeds and the wheat to help his disciples and us understand that, like the weeds and the wheat in the parable, good and evil are very much a part of our lives. We find good and evil in ourselves, the people we know and work with, and the organizations and institutions we all belong to. And as we know, that includes the Church.

Jesus holds back no punches. He lets us know that the weeds and the wheat will continue to grow and intertwine in our hearts and lives until the day of harvest. Like the farmer in the parable, our Heavenly Father has infinite patience and love until the end of time.

It’s His world. He created it and saves it in his mysterious way. One day He will sort out this mystery for us. In the meantime, however, we must live with this mixed bag of good and evil, right and wrong in the world.

Every day each of us struggles to live with this mixture of weeds and wheat. The weeds of impatience and anger grow along with the grain of forgiveness and love. The most fantastic part of being human is that despite all our faults and weeds, much good grain does grow.

How many times do people count on us for support and encouragement? How often do they turn to us for comfort and friendship, advice and love, Whatever may be their cup of cold water?

Many times during our day, God’s goodness and patience in us bring about the care and concern He has for others.

We may find it hard to see God’s goodness in us, but it is true. All the evil in the world cannot overpower one ounce of God’s goodness. One little candle overcomes all the darkness of the night. Have no fear because of what St. Paul reminds us, that the Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness. Jesus is waiting for us to ask for His help. He will never fail us.

God knows that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. And our hope is this – no matter how horrible evil in the world may seem, personally, nationally, or internationally, this world will find its fulfillment in God’s reign only after he gathers the harvest into his barn.

Gospel Challenge:
The best thing we can do is support each other with compassion in our struggles and rejoice in our victories.

Peace be with you, my friends.

Ignite the Fire

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC 
pastor 

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