Lectionary Notes: Kingdom Comparisons
My notes are a little shorter this week because we’re going to be spending less time on the readings this week in the JP2 Group.
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 17th July, 2011
Reading 1: Wis 12:13, 16-19
Scripture:
There is no god besides you who have the care of all, that you need show you have not unjustly condemned. For your might is the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved; and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity. But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.
Suggested Questions:
- What does this reading say about God’s character?
- What are the similarities and differences between the way we act and the way God acts? What should we learn from this?
Introduction:
In this first reading were are told of God’s justice and mercy. This will be a theme throughout this week’s readings. God is just and, as such, we stand before Him as sinners, but He is merciful to us and delays His judgment so that we may repent and turn to Him. In light of the New Testament, we see this reflected in Christ’s ministry, death and resurrection.
Commentary:
“There is no god besides you who have the care of all”
This is a literary device – the author isn’t suggesting other gods are “real”
“you rebuke temerity”
“temerity” is excessive boldness or audacity. Notice here that this can even be in those who “know [God]”, so even believers are called to conversion.
“judge with clemency”
This means judge with mercy.
“And you taught your people, by these deeds”
We are to learn from God’s character…
“…that those who are just must be kind”
…how we are to act…
“…and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins”
…and about God’s mercy to those who repent.
Responsorial Psalm: 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Scripture:
R. (5a) Lord, you are good and forgiving.
You, O LORD, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship you, O LORD,
and glorify your name.
For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
you alone are God.
You, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity.
Turn toward me, and have pity on me;
give your strength to your servant.
Suggested Questions:
- Again, how is God’s character described?
Introduction:
Continuing with the “character study” of God which began in the First Reading, we hear again that God is “good…forgiving…abounding in kindness…great…merciful…gracious…slow to anger…abounding in kindness and fidelity”. It is because of the knowledge of God’s character that the psalmist makes his plea for help.
Commentary:
“For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;”
God doesn’t just say that He’s good, He proves it. The greatest example of this, of course, is the coming of Christ into the world and offering Himself on the cross.
“fidelity”
Faithfulness
Reading II: Rom 8:26-27
Scripture:
Brothers and sisters: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.
Suggested Questions:
- Christians are called to become more and more like Christ. How does God help in this mission?
- How might this practically work out in our lives?
Introduction:
Continuing from last week’s section of Romans, Paul describes the action of the Holy Spirit to “aid of our weakness” and to help use to “pray as we ought”. In speaking this way, Paul is inviting us to submit our lives to God and to rely upon His Spirit in all things, but especially in prayer.
In context, this passage actually beings “in the same way”, explaining that, as hope sustains during suffering, the Holy spirit aids in our prayer.
Commentary:
“The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness”
God sends grace to help us. It is in this position of dependence that God’s power is most perfectly manifested. In yielding to this we allow the seed planted within us to grow by God’s grace.
“we do not know how to pray as we ought”
Even in turning to God in prayer we need help!
“the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groaning”
A few sentences earlier in this passage (v. 23) , which we heard last week, we’re told that it is believers who groan with all of creation. Now, it is the Holy Spirit who groans. This groaning could refer to either something unspoken (more likely) or something spoken in a non-human language.
Note here that the Holy Spirit is interceding, something we’re also told that the Son continues to do (Hebrews 7:25).
“he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will”
…because of the oneness of the Trinity.
“holy ones” is sometimes translated as “saints”, which, as we saw last week refers to those Christians here on earth, rather than Heaven.
Also note that the prayer is made in according to God’s will, not our own.
Gospel: Mt 13:24-43
Scripture:
Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 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.”’”
He proposed another parable to them.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’ ”
He spoke to them another parable.
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.”
Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply,
“He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Suggested Questions:
- What is the meaning of each of the parables?
- Parable of the wheat and weeds: who is the sower, the enemy, the wheat and the weeds?
- Parable of the wheat and weeds: what is this harvest which is talked about?
- Parable of the wheat and weeds: what are the consequences of parish life? Why is this hard?
- Parable of the mustard seed: what is being promised? Can you think of any examples in your own life? How does this relate to Jesus’ own ministry?
- Parable of the yeast: do you truly believe in God’s transformative power?
- What can we learn from this passage about Jesus’ method of discipleship?
Introduction:
Last week we heard Jesus’ parable about the sower’s seeds and this week we get three more parables, together with the explanation of one of them. The theme this week is primarily about growth…
The parable of the wheat and weeds proclaims God’s justice, mercy and goodness. In an effort to bring in the greatest harvest, God stays His hand of judgment until “harvest time”. The world is full of saints and sinners. Are we surprised therefore when we find them both attending our local parish? At the final judgment the wheat and the weeds (the sheep and the goats) will be separated out.
In describing the Kingdom, the parable of the mustard seed shows how great, life-giving things can come from small beginnings. The parable of the yeast says the same thing. Anyone who has ever done baking knows that yeast is a powerful agent of change, transforming dough to bread. Think of the humble beginnings of the Church and its now world-wide presence.
Commentary:
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened…”
This is the phrase which six of the seven parables in this chapter.
“a man who sowed…”
Jesus
“…good seed…”
The children of God
“…in his field”
The world
“…his enemy”
Satan
“sowed weeds”
Children of Satan. Whereas God sows good, Satan sows evil.
“Weeds” is sometimes translated as “darnel” or “tares”. It contains a poisonous fungus which causes severe nausea in people and animals. Under Roman law there were severe penalties for anyone caught sabotaging a crop in this way.
He answered, ‘An enemy has done this..’
Showing that evil comes from Satan, not God.
“if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them”
In their early stages of growth both the wheat and the weeds look almost identical. They only begin to distinguish themselves later.
“Let them grow together until harvest”
Rather than risk the accidental destruction of good wheat, the famer decides to delay until the harvest. In biblical terms, the “harvest” is the “Day of the Lord” or “Judgment Day” (Hosea 6:11; Revelation 14:14-20). On this day evil will be unmasked and good will be allowed to shine forth.
“…harvesters…”
Angels
“collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning”
Judgment and Hell.
“gather the wheat into my barn”
Heaven.
***
“a mustard seed”
Mustard seeds are tiny, the smallest seed used by Palestinian farms.
“when full-grown it is the largest of plants”
…but when nurtured and protected, it can become something great. These mustard seeds could grow to about ten feet.
“…birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches”
Birds are attracted to the mustard tree because of its seeds.
People are also attracted to the fruit of the Kingdom and it will bless others. You find this imagery used in the Old Testament, when the birds represent the gentiles.
***
“yeast”
Yeast usually symbolizes something evil, but here it is praised for the effect it has on flour.
“…mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened”
Three measures is about 50 pounds.
The small amount of yeast transforms the large amount of flour. It spreads throughout the dough. In the same way the Kingdom spreads throughout the world and sanctifying grace spreads throughout each individual’s life.
“to fulfill what had been said through the prophet”
This refers to Psalm 78:2, attributed to Asaph (see 2 Chronicles 29:30).
“dismissing the crowds, he went into the house”
The teaching focus is going to shift to the apostles, the future ministers of the Church.