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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  What do you have growing in your garden of life?

by Fr. Richard C. Macey, Special to The Michigan Catholic
Published July 11, 2008

First Reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19

The Book of the Wisdom of Solomon is included in the deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament. It was written in Greek by Hellenistic Jews, probably from Alexandria, Egypt. It is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Protestants include it among the Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Although it is attributed to Solomon, it was probably the last written Old Testament work.

This passage addresses God, who is just and patient. God's patience is for "repentance for their sins." This gives hope to those who must give up a sinful life. The power of God to re-establish justice is great enough to withstand the threat of the temporary presence of evil. There is no challenge to the power of God. The Lord also teaches people through their experience.

Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27

This entire chapter of the Letter to the Romans is filled with references to the Holy Spirit. These two verses mention the Spirit three times. The Spirit is the life-giving presence of God in the world, especially in the lives of the faithful.

The Spirit "comes to our aid" by sharing our burdens and responsibilities. It is the same verb used in Luke 10:40 to describe Martha's request to Jesus for help from her sister. It demonstrates a companionship with the Spirit.

"How to pray as we ought" refers to what we pray for, not how to pray. Prayer is an expression of dependence upon God for what we need. Even with our human weakness, "the Spirit Himself intercedes" for us. This is the only reference in the Bible to the intercessory role of the Spirit of God. Human weakness is our inability to see the goal of life clearly. The "inexpressible groanings" do not refer to speaking or praying in tongues (glossalalia). It is an almost subconscious, foundational longing which is not part of human consciousness. It comes from the indwelling presence of Christ in the believer.

The "holy ones" may also be translated as "the saints." This was the title given by Paul to all the members of the Church.

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43 (short form: Matthew 13:24-20)

There is an old saying that says "a picture is worth a thousand words." A parable is a verbal picture. Jesus used parables to give the people visual images to reinforce and remind them about His teaching. Parables were not the same as allegories, when every detail stands for something else. If that were so, God would not always be portrayed in a very good light, such as an unjust judge or a cruel taskmaster! Rather, Jesus said that "the Kingdom of Heaven may be likened to …" an entire situation that has some degree of similarity to the story He tells. Sometimes there is an explanation given in the narrative, as in the extended reading here.

There is a collection of parables in this chapter of Matthew. The first one in today's reading contrasts the good seed that bears wheat for bread and the bad seed that bears worthless weeds. The point appears to reflect the abiding patience of God for the conversion of sinners. It also explains the appearance of sin in the early Church. Baptism may erase original sin, but it does not remove human freedom to choose to do evil.

The parables about the mustard seed and the yeast argue for the growth of faith. Also, the faith-filled person provides a benefit for the society in which they live. The mustard seed grows into a bush for the birds. The yeast expands the flour into a loaf of bread to feed the family.

I have always been impressed with the teaching that parish priests are ministers not only to their own registered members, but are public servants as well. We are pastors to our neighborhoods where we are assigned. A parishioner told me a story about their pastor who was also a chaplain to the police and fire department. One day the pastor was listening to the police scanner about a fire in the neighborhood. He recognized the address of a parishioner. He showed up at the scene before the police or fire department!

In many cases, especially in serving the material needs of people, the local Church community becomes the first response team. I have seen that many times by the volunteers in our Christian Service outreach and members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. At our parish, we have even seen people dropped off in police cars at our doors. They know that we take care of people.

It is interesting that the disciples asked the Lord to "explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." The parable receives an explanation about an eschatological, final judgment. There is another old saying that comes to mind. "We reap the harvest of what we sow." What is growing in your garden of life?

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.