16th Sunday in ordinary time of the year A
Wisdom 12:13.16-19 Rom. 8: 26-27 Mat. 13: 24-43
Theme: The love of God
On this 16th Sunday of the year in ordinary time, the readings we have presents to us the beauty of Gods love for all of us. The beauty of his love for us is such that it breaks all forms of divisions and distinctions that separates one person from another, or one group from another. The strength of his love and power is seen in his relationship with his people. In his justice, he is open to our repentance and the desire for us to retrace our steps and accept his hand of friendship and love that he continues to extend towards all his people. It is for us to accept this hand of friendship and do the needful in our lives. The Book of Wisdom is encouraging all of us on this 16th Sunday of the year to emulate God in our actions, by allowing the love of God and neighbor to direct how we make use of the power at our disposal. Let us always remember that power is not a tool for division or oppression of the people. Jesus is leading the way already, let us follow him.
In the 2nd reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we see a continuation of Gods love and presence in our lives in a unique way. The word of God points out the fact that the spirit of God helps us in our weakness. By implication, it simply means that God is always with us, even at our weakest moments in life. He does not leave us and allow us to be destroyed by the storms of life, he stands by us to guide and protect us. This goes to show the depth of Gods love for all of us. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on ourselves, he is always very near and close to us at such moments, if only we can look beyond our worries and pains at such a moment, we will find him. The invitation on this 16th Sunday is that we should emulate Gods love in our daily lives. It will make you a better person, your family, and the world at large.
Also, in the gospel reading we see the beauty of Gods love again, when Jesus in his parable said that both the wheat and the weed should be allowed to grow, until the time for harvest. This can only be done by a loving father, because it is an opportunity for repentance; this is what the length of time before the harvest is meant to do for us. The question today is, are we making good use of Gods patience to become true ambassadors for Christ? One thing we must always remember is the fact the time for harvest is limited and must surely come, make good use of the time you have now. When the harvest time comes, it will be judgement time. We can begin to fill the valleys in our lives and level the mountains in our lives now, it is never too late. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.