The waiting times

Listening to the Spirit

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Amen.

(Saint Augustine)

Listening to the Word

Mt 13:24-30

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."

Reflection

What can be the center of the so-called controversial parable if not the waiting time given to all in order to understand it? Yes, the waiting time in the parable can give the possibility for all to enter its mystery. As it took time for the first listeners to grasp the meaning of it, for sure, the same time is essential for today's disciples.

The present parable is an image of the Kingdom, and we all know that the little ones are the first in it. Let`s read it guided by their questions. The little ones here can be seen in the slaves. Behind their simple words, one can have some clarification about the whole. These questions are at the heart of everyone who wants to enter the Kingdom but is not yet able to visualize the full picture of its here and now.

“Did you not sow good seed in your field?” The opening question. After the coming of the Lord is His Good News. All the beautiful things He had done. Since the beginning, more than good, His works were beautiful. While waiting for harvest time, the slaves noticed some anomalies. In the middle of the good and beautiful, there are also the evil and unpleasant. They raised the question that shows their faith in the goodness of the Master. He is good and does good things.

“Where have the weeds come from?” The inquiry now is about the origin of evil. The desire to know why bad things can happen. Where it comes from? This longing to know is at the heart of all. It is clear, after all, that it is not from the Master. It is impossible for the One who sows the good and beautiful can also be the source of the opposite of it. The origin of the weeds comes from a different foundation. In the meantime, it will be there together with the good and beautiful ones waiting for harvest time.

In a hurry of doing things comes then the last question; “Do you want us to go and pull them up?” No wonder in such a proposal, rightly, all want to pull out the weeds. This question opens the conclusion from the Master. His request and action bring all to an attitude that shows patience. Time will come. Time to separate the fruits. The focus is on the good fruits. If the separation had been done before, the damage would affect all. After the waiting times were fulfilled, the fruits were seen and preserved. No more the seed but the fruits.

Like all other parables of Jesus also this is for the disciple of every time to choose one side. Here is the side of the patient Master who waits for the right time with patience with all. His focus is on harvest time. Time the truth for all. Time of the purification of all in His love.