Tuesday 31 July
Matthew 13:36-43 • St Ignatius of Loyola (Memorial)
Jesus teaches us to be slow to judge and rich in mercy. He speaks of a field mixed with wheat and tares (tares are weeds that strongly resemble wheat until the last stages). This field is an image of our world, whether it be the whole world, our church or our family. Jesus tells us of a time when the field will be harvested. This will be the time of judgement; until then we all must live and grow side by side. We must avoid criticism of each other and rather look for every opportunity to spread the Good News.
We are called to love our neighbour. We must learn to bear all things in love and leave all judgements to God. Our desire should be that everyone will accept the salvation revealed in Jesus. God sees all things and knows each human heart. He knows all our struggles, foibles, weaknesses and temptations. He looks upon us in love as we strive to overcome our weaknesses. We too must cultivate a compassionate attitude towards others. St Francis de Sales, a master in the direction of souls, wrote with great perception: ‘I beg you never to speak evil of your neighbour or say anything, however little, which could offend him...[A]bove all blame the vice and spare as much as possible the person to whom the vice belongs, all the more so because the goodness of God is so great that a single moment is sufficient for entreating his grace. And who can be sure that the one who yesterday was a sinner, and evil, will be so today?’
Our tendency is to be too quick to separate the wheat from the tares. In contrast, our calling is to be quick to show mercy, eager to excuse and gracious towards everybody. If God allows his sun to shine on the righteous and the unrighteous, who are we to judge? We do know that one day the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father – it may come as a surprise to us to discover who are numbered among them!
Lord, help me know myself, because it is when I am ignorant of the sin and weaknesses in my own life that I am quick to judge others. Help me to imitate you in your love and humility. I want to be merciful as you are merciful, kind as you are kind and loving as you are loving.
Jeremiah 14:17-22 • Psalm 78(79):8, 9, 11, 13
Matthew 13:36-43
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