July 23, 2023

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prepared for the Kingdom of Heaven

Deacon Kevin O’Boyle

Good morning.

Our readings this week combine prophecy and warning. They remind us both of the clemency and justice of God, and the work of the devil to challenge the good works of the Father. Together, this should warn us to prepare for our own mortality—to realize that we are called to live life in a particular way and warned of the consequences if we do not meet these expectations. Let’s look at our readings.

Our first reading comes from the Book of Wisdom, sometimes referred to as the Wisdom of Solomon. Wisdom often reflects on how to live in accordance with God’s will. Our reading today reflects on God as the source of justice, yet it is a justice cleansed with clemency and leniency. This, according to the reading, teaches us that we are to be kind and should have hope for repentance for our sins.

 Our second reading comes from chapter 8 of Romans which contrasts between life of the flesh and that of the Spirit. The chapter opens with a reminder that there is no condemnation for those who live in Jesus Christ. We are called to live in the Spirit and not the flesh, that is, as one who considers the things of the Spirit and not those of the flesh. The Spirit will aid us in our weaknesses.

Finally, in our Gospel, we hear Jesus Himself describing the Kingdom of God and those who will live there. In the Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat, Jesus describes how the devil has planted bad seed among the good seed the Son of Man planted. Weeds from the bad seed will grow and mature at the same time as the good seed produces good fruit. When this happens, the weeds will be separated from the good fruit and thrown into the fire, while the good fruit, the wheat will be put into the barn.

Jesus tells two additional parables about the kingdom. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds which grows into the largest of plants, assuring us of the expected size and strength of the kingdom of heaven. This is confirmed in the parable of the yeast which compares the kingdom to yeast used with a large measure of wheat flour to leaven the whole batch. This points to the greatness of the kingdom’s effects.

So how do we put this all together? Our first reading tells us we should be kind – a call to the Love that is supposed to be a sign of the Christian. The second reading tells us that we should be of the Spirit and not of the Flesh. The Gospel, in Christ’s own words, first warns us of what happens to those who are influenced by the devil—the weeds that try to choke off the good fruit. They will be thrown into the fire. Then Jesus assures us of the immense size and strength of the kingdom of heaven through the parables of the mustard seed and yeast. So, we are to be a people concerned with the things of the Spirit—a people known for their kindness. We are to beware the influence of the devil and be forewarned of the fire that will be the fate of those who befriend the devil. We are to be assured of the size and strength of the kingdom of heaven. These simple messages are supported by the Church’s teachings as to what happens at the end of our lives. The final four things are death, judgement, heaven, and hell. That is, we all will die, after death our lives will be judged and based on that judgement, we will go to heaven or hell. We might go first to purgatory, but we know that those who go to purgatory will eventually go to heaven after a period of purification.

These facts are basic teachings of our faith, yet in our world today, they sometimes seem to be forgotten. In a world where, for example, prominent self—professed Catholics seem to ignore, challenge, or dismiss God’s Law, it is important that we often take a moment to consider our final destiny and the importance our own actions have in that destiny. Are our actions in life in line with the teachings of Christ and His Church? Will we be welcomed into the safety and love of the kingdom of heaven, or sent to the fires of hell? The choice is really ours as we decide how to live our lives. And that is truly something to think about this week and always. God Bless.