Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

Return to Articles and Reflections

YEAR A

Wis 12,13.16-19; Rom 8,26-27; Mt 13,24-43

A mixture of good & bad 

Jesus’ "Kingdom of Heaven": Jesus ministry took place in a tensed political climate: indeed He died as a victim of this political unrest, accused and executed as a political agitator. We know of course, that in reality, while this took place, God was fulfilling his loving plan to save us all through his Son’s Death & Resurrection. But the historical circumstances help us grasp why the message of Jesus comes across so hidden, under-cover and coded at some occasions. Jesus had to speak in a way that was not subversive and explosive: while making the point that in life, people must give first place and service to God alone, this was not to be seen as an attack on the power of Rome and its Emperor. Or as an accusation against the Jewish Political & Religious Authorities, for forcing the people to deny their consciousness of being "God’s People", while accepting compromise, submission and cooperation with the Roman Empire. So, Jesus spoke in parables, He preached ‘God’s Kingdom’ and explained it through many parables: he used a language that could be interpreted in a variety of ways: only his disciples could later query him and get to the meaning and importance of his teaching. He spoke about loving the enemy, turning the other cheek, having a hunger for justice and choosing to enter into his new ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ -which is the Church- through a very narrow door. Jesus was indeed a master story teller, in the best tradition of Judaism: the language of parables has a timeless meaning. While Jesus addressed the political and social situation of his time, his teaching will be differently applied by future generations to different situations. In his Gospel, Matthew is already interpreting Jesus’ parables to suite the situations in his Christian community at his time, and he invites us to do the same for our times.

The Kingdom is like: weeds, seed & yeast. In Chapt.13, Matthew sets out the 3rd of his 5 long ‘sermons’. In it he lists seven parables : the first, (‘the sower & the seed’, we had last Sunday) stands on its own and is the main parable; then come six other parables, arranged in two groups of three each. Today, we take the first three parables: the weeds among wheat, the mustard seed and the yeast. Next Sunday we will have the next three: the treasure in the field, the pearl of great price and the net full of fish. Matthew takes the 3 parables listed for today and interprets them in the context of the political and social situation of his time. It’s after year 70AD, when the Romans have crushed the 1st Jewish Revolt, they destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem and wiped out the social & religious fabric of Jewish life all over the world. At this time, Christians are still mixed within the Jewish social & religious life: what are hey going to do now that Christians are being excluded, blamed and expelled from the Synagogue? Matthew says: trust in Jesus, Risen Lord and persevere in his teaching. Now that the Synagogue has cut you off from the strict Jewish way of life, do not be afraid. Trust in God, accept the tension & move -in faith- from the comfort of the ‘Old Way’ into the challenge of the ‘New Way’, the New Kingdom of God, the Church, where Christ has promised to be until the end of times.

Matthew’s message today: for us too, times are achanging in both Church & society; we too have concerns about our: Church - leaders - family - community & our own Christian life: how we will continue to be a light to the nations, with inspiring leaders. Don’t be surprised if you see ‘good & bad’ mixed together; leave it with God and persevere.

______________________________________