Matthew's parables of the kingdom is continued in the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time. In this series, an aspect of the kingdom is shown: the way it works from "within". It may be "within" society, or "within" the hearts of men. Read the corresponding article here and use the following for your reflections.
1. The parable of the wheat and tares answers a question that a lot of Christians ask: Why is it that although we receive the same communion and hear the same gospel words, there are still some Christians who live as if they don't share the same baptism?
Reflect. How would you describe the attitude of the owner of the field. What would you do if you were in his place? If the owner's solution to the problem is reflective of the way God treats the good and the bad, how would you mirror it in your own life?
2. The yeast and mustard seed symbolize the way the kingdom works: "from within"
Reflect: The conviction that Christians should be like leaven for the world echoes one of the sayings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: that they are meant to be like salt and light for the world.
How do you see yourself as a leaven for your community? How do you see your cell community as a leaven for the world?
In the light of the above, how do you become like the mustard seed that becomes a tree and gives home to different kinds of animals?
3. Jesus refers to his parables as announcements of a mystery "hidden from the foundations of the world". Review the words of Jesus about the privileged knowledge of the disciples: cf. Matthew 13: 11-13 at Mateo 11:25-30
Reflect: Paul writes about the gospel as
the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. (Colossians (RSV) 1:26-28)
How do you value this privileged knowledge? In what way would you make it inform your way of life?
