Possibility of Coexistence?

“He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

Matthew 13:29-30

Perhaps it is safe to say that we human beings we see good and evil at play all the time. Sometimes it seems as if the good wins and other times, evil. But we must not confuse this interplay between good and evil to be a coexistence. Of course good and evil are seemingly coexisting in the world, but not because God has no power over evil. That is the point I am trying to convey: there is a coexistence not because the Lord of Life and the Prince of Death are equally powerful and so a “truce” exists. Only because God permits it is there this coexistence. The good and evil dwell in the same sphere because God in His Providence allows it for a bigger plan that is to come.

In today’s Gospel, Matthew shares with us several parables Jesus used to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. Among them is a parable about a sower who sows good seed but an enemy comes at night and scatters seeds of weeds. When asked if the weeds should be uprooted the sower said “no” because the good might also be uprooted. So the weeds and the wheat are allowed to grow together. But when the harvest time comes, the weeds are separated from the wheat. Likewise, good and evil are at play in this temporal sphere but when the Last Day comes, the Lord will separate the good and evil, sending the wicked back to their rightful place and gathering His faithful sheep to Himself. But the problem is that we are here in the here and now. The Last Day has not yet come and we know neither the day nor the hour. So, what should we do?

We must continue to do good and pursue the truth at all cost. Sometimes evil and lies help us see the truth and goodness that lies in beauty. Perhaps that is also why the Lord permits evil to exist in this world. When we can see both good and evil, we can then discern which is from God and devote our entire lives and beings to living out goodness and pursuing holiness and truth. So then, coexistence is a possibility, but only because God permits it and not because God has no power over it, but because He does and uses it to bring about great good.

May we neve lose sight of the omnipotence or all-powerfulness of our God and draw strength from the Cross, knowing that good has already triumphed over evil, and live out our lives striving for the same, holding fast to the truth that at the end, love and goodness prevails.

Only But Be

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever.”

Verse before the Gospel, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life might be? Perhaps this thought came at a time in your life where nothing you did seemed to be enough. Or maybe it came to you when everything in your life was going well. For Christians, this question is a little bit different. This question is posed within the context of a relationship: “What might God’s plan be for my life?” or “How will God’s will be done in my life?” For Christians, our purpose is not simply self-satisfaction or happiness, it is a joy that comes from unity and communion with each other and with God.

The Parable of the Sower as presented to us in this Sunday’s Gospel reading gives us some insight as to how we might be able to come to know our purpose in life. (First, always knowing that this purpose only makes sense within the context of a loving relationship). Jesus tells the people about seed that is scattered throughout different types of soil and earth and the outcome of those seeds. We are told that some seeds fell on the path and others among thorns, and even others on rocky ground and rich soil. The seeds on the path were eaten up, those on among thorns were choked, those on rocky ground sprouted but withered, and those on the soil grew and had manifolds of fruit. We are told in the verse before the Gospel that “the seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.” Hence, the type of land is the disposition of our hearts.

If we were to ask ourselves right now what type of soil can our hearts be compared to, what might we say? Are we the path who simply listens but does not ponder? Are we the rocky ground who at first is zealous and enthusiastic but later lose interest? Are we the garden of thorn bushes that allows the worldly things take over our lives? Are we the rich soil that is receptive and welcomes the nutrients that come our way? The type of soil that we till in our hearts will impact how we listen and how we respond to God, and as such, how we come to understand and know God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Like the soil, we only but need to “be,” and allow God to work within our hearts. God does not ask of us to be perfect before He reveals anything to us. In fact, as St. Paul tells us, Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God only asks that we but “be.” Be still and listen. Be still and hear His voice. Be still and allow His love to enfold you.

Once we have allowed God inside of hearts and allowed Him to tend to the gardens of our hearts, the seeds sown will slowly bear fruit. He will give us sunlight and water. And, He will fertilize the soil with rich nutrients — the grace that comes from the sacraments. We need only but to be and God will reveal Himself to us. When we have learned to listen well to Him, then we can go out and do the things that will lead us deeper in relationship with Him and with others.

Way to the Heart

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart."

Matthew 11:28-29a

If we are to bear the name of another or claim to be a follower or student of someone then our actions should reflect the spirit of the one after whom we follow. In schools I always remind the students that where ever they go, especially if they are in their uniforms, they are ambassadors of our school. They represent our school whether they want to or not, whether they think they are or not. They are the face of our school. Similarly, the receptionist, whether he or she likes it or not, is the face of the company and is the first face people will see, and as such should watch how the speak and respond for he or she gives the people their first impression of the company/office. Pastors and parish office workers are the face of the parish and by extension the face of the Church. How often do we hear of people leaving the parish or stop going to Church all together because they had a bad experience with either the pastor or someone from the parish? AND, whether we like it or not, each one of us are ambassadors of the Church and of Christ. If we call ourselves Christians then we must conform our hearts to Christ. What is the way to Christ’s heart?

Humility is the way to the heart of Jesus. In the first reading today (Sunday) we hear the Prophet Zechariah speak about our King and Savior, how he rides on an ass or donkey, a sign of humility. We see this fulfilled in Jesus as He entered into Jerusalem, yes on a donkey, nonetheless, triumphantly. In His humility, Christ carried out the Father’s will for Him, and the result of that is the conversion of hearts and the gift of salvation. It was the humility of Jesus that enabled the people to see His great love and mercy for them. It was in His humility where the people encountered Him. The way to another’s heart must be paved with humility because if it is not, our hearts will have no room for anyone else but ourselves and our needs.

Brothers and sisters, if we are to truly bear the name of Christ in calling ourselves Christians then we must conform our hearts to Christ, allowing humility to take the place of pride. If we do not know how to do this, Jesus tells us to look to Him and to go to Him, for His “yoke is easy and burden, light.” When we do go to Him, He will give us rest, and this rest will reveal to us His meekness and humility of heart. We are the face of Christ, and only a heart that is conformed to the heart of Jesus can reveal such a face. May we rest today in the embrace of the Lord and ask Him to make our hearts to be like His.