Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 13:24-33) “Not What You Expect”
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 13:24-33) “Not What You Expect”
The “reign of God.” How often do we hear the Gospel writers mention it? Obviously, it was central to Jesus’ preaching. Yet, if we were to ask a Christian about it, we would probably get a mixed message.
We might have an apocalyptic vision which says the world is a bad place full of sin. We need to start over. We need only look at the pollution that is wrecking our planet for instance. Floods ravage the eastern part of our country. The Canadian wildfires bring smog to our own community. The extreme heat that has touched the southwest is coming our way. If we look around the world, we see damage because of the way we produce energy.
We also see the wars that are happening around the world. We think first of Ukraine. Tens of thousands of people are being slaughtered. We could also see conflicts in Africa that seem unending. We see migrants moving from place to place. Why are they on the move? Because of the limited resources of the world. As time goes by it seems like there will be more conflict over water, minerals, food, other resources. Humanity seems incapable of sharing.
We can think as some religious preachers did in the first century. For them, the only solution seemed to be that God destroy the evil world so that everything can start over. But Jesus didn’t seem to believe that.
Another idea we can have about the reign of God is that there are good people and bad people. We must destroy evil individuals. If we do that, then the world will be a better place. We hear that our world is polarized, which seems to be the case.
Recently, a reporter was interviewing a focus group on television. The people she was talking to were on one side of the political divide. A question was asked if the people on the other side of the political spectrum, were Christian or not. The feeling was that they couldn’t be. It makes no difference whether people lean right or left, the same opinion is held. Those who disagree with me can’t believe in God.
What does Jesus say? He speaks in parables. He says the reign of God, despite our pessimism is coming. We might not see it nor feel it, but it is growing. He constantly uses similes in his preaching about the growth of plants whether it is a shaft of wheat or a mustard bush. The growth he maintains cannot be stopped. Mostly, it happens in silence, like all vegetation grows in silence, but it is happening.
The second thing, what Jesus is slow to do is to label people as completely good or bad. Let’s face it, all of us are a mixed bag whether we want to admit it or not. The main reason we criticize others is so we can feel better about ourselves so we can say, “Well at least I’m not as bad as him or her.” All the while, in the depth of our soul we know we are flawed people.
Sometimes from the most tortured of souls comes the most profound wisdom and beauty. Vincent Van Gogh, the brilliant artist, has always been a fascinating person to me. Probably because he was a melancholy dutchman. I can relate. Looking on the surface you would say that he wasn’t a very attractive person. He suffered psychological illness. He battled depression his whole life. He was institutionalized. He could be prone to fits of rage directed at those around him. He seemed incapable of having a committed relationship. In the end, he shot himself, which many would label the worst sin of all. But his art is considered some of the most beautiful ever produced.
He didn’t paint epic moments in history. He painted simple ordinary things like a bouquet of flowers or a small home. He did not paint portraits of famous people, but of simple peasants he met on the street. He saw the extraordinary in the ordinary.
I went over to see an exhibition in Davenport about Van Gogh this week. As you walked into the exhibition hall, there were a series of quotes from his letters to his brother who supported him throughout his life. Everyone deserted him. His brother didn’t. Van Gogh’s poetic thoughts were as inspiring as his paintings. The quotes revealed what he really believed. The words reflect a man who knew what Jesus was talking about. While in despair he wrote:
“A great fire burns within me but no one stops to warm themselves at it, and passersby only see a wisp of smoke.”
Another time he said, “Normalcy is a paved road, “it’s comfortable to walk on, but no flowers grow on it.”
Van Gough had good moments and bad. His good moments probably revealed who he was at his core. He said, “There is nothing more artistic than to love people.” He respected the people he painted, but he had trouble loving himself. Perhaps we relate to this.
The Kingdom of God that Jesus talked about grows over time in a believer’s heart. Slowly the wheat grows to maturity while the weeds are burned away by the love of God.”
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I think the world is impossibly corrupt? Why or why not?
2. Can I believe that those who disagree with me are good? What makes it hard?
Dear Parishioners,
Our finance committee recently reviewed our finances since it is the end of the fiscal year. There was a lot there to reflect on. It was a good year in many ways. Our Centennial Campaign collected over $300.000 which allowed us to make progress on the debt we have incurred because of our new addition. We have a mountain to climb, but it is a lot smaller because of people’s generosity. We continue to receive gifts.
In our operating expenses there was a mixed bag of news. The good news was that our collections were up slightly for the year after several years of decline. We did not achieve the budget for collections but over the last few months we have collected more than the year before. That is a positive sign.
We were able to meet our operating budget because we received monies from a couple of estates. We are thankful for that, and I will share more information about that in our year end report in October. If you can include Sacred Heart in your estate planning, that will help the parish. A simple thing like leaving the remnant of your estate can make a huge impact.
God continues to bless our parish. For this we are thankful.
May Our Lady Pray for us,
Fr. Mark