July 19, 2020
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Grace and sin, belief and unbelief, good and evil all exist together. While we wrestle with these two dimensions of reality inwardly, they are also witnessed in the actions and words of others. Many, all too often, beat themselves up because of their sin. We are also all too quick to pass judgment on others whom we perceive to be in error and walking down a wrong path. God does not make rash judgments, nor should we. Patience is the order of the day as is an understanding that God is ultimately the caller of the shots.
Our faith tells us that while God allows the wheat and the weeds to coexist, the wheat will always triumph. As long as we can cultivate even a little faith and a small measure of desire for God, He can produce abundant blessings and good things. Even when the weeds seem to have triumphed, there still may be a small measure of faith remaining that can be cultivated and grown. It doesn’t take much! Unless a person totally allows the weeds to reign, there is always to be found at least a small measure of faith, good, light, and love. With even this small portion, God can produce abundant growth.
Admittedly, it is easy to give into the weeds, and they grow very quickly. Any gardener knows this to be true. Sometimes, the weeds even seem more attractive and vibrant. Dealing with weeds can quickly become a losing battle, and they can look healthier and grow faster than the very plants we are trying to protect. It’s easy to give into them and let them win. While God will deal with all things in due time, we are responsible for keeping things in check in the short term. It is our task to keep our eyes fixed on God’s presence and mercy. We are asked to avoid judgment. And, it is not our responsibility to deal with the weeds in someone else’s garden, only our own. One garden is enough responsibility for anyone.
Weeds have power. We have to realize this. While they can appear attractive and healthy, they can quickly choke us off from God’s presence. Our task is one of maintenance and cultivating a desire for God. Even the smallest kernel of faith can grow into something wonderful. In God’s time, the eternal harvest will come, and we will no longer have to worry about the weeds.
©LPi
MEDITACIÓN EVANGÉLICO
19 de julio de 2020
16º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
La escena tiene lugar en un campo donde el propietario siembra el grano, pero una noche llega el enemigo y siembra la cizaña, término que en hebreo deriva de la misma raíz que el nombre “Satanás” y reclama el concepto de división. Todos sabemos que el demonio es un cizañero, siempre intenta separar a las personas, las familias, las naciones y los pueblos. Los siervos querían quitar en seguida la hierba mala, pero el amo lo impide con esta motivación: “no, que, al arrancar la cizaña, podríais arrancar también el trigo”. Porque todos sabemos que cuando la cizaña crece se parece mucho al grano bueno, y está el peligro de confundirlos. La enseñanza de la parábola es doble. En primer lugar, dice que el mal que hay en el mundo no proviene de Dios, sino de su enemigo, el Maligno. Es curioso, este va de noche a sembrar la cizaña, en la oscuridad, en la confusión, donde no hay luz, pero va él y siembra la cizaña. Este enemigo es astuto: ha sembrado el mal en medio del bien, así es imposible separar claramente a los hombres; pero Dios, al final, podrá hacerlo. (Papa Francisco, Rezo del Angelus 20/07/14).
Jesús, da a escoger entre trigo o cizaña, entre ser de su equipo o no ser. La enseñanza también lleva a reflexionar que buenos y malos crecen juntos. La oportunidad de salvación es para todos, los ejemplos de vida son motivo de cambios de corazón. Es por eso muy importante ser modelo para las generaciones futuras. Cada minuto de la vida se puede hacer el bien. ¡Aprovecha!
©LPi