The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Bernhard Abrazado SVD – Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City
Tuesday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Are you wheat or weed?
As an active member of the coaching staff of the DWCC basketball varsity, I see to it that during initial selection, we select the best players. By doing lots of try-outs and training, we are able to test the players’ strength, reflexes and ability to rationally decide when inside the court. During such training sessions, we find out that some players are not physically and mentally prepared for the pressure of basketball so we never select them. This technique has been successful and made our team the leading varsity in local athletic competition.
The Gospel today explains the parable of the weeds among the wheat. Jesus tells His disciples that the one who sows good seed is the Son of Man, and the one who sows the weeds is the devil. Furthermore, the harvesters (angels) will pass through the fields and select the weeds, bind them up and throw them into fiery furnace. Those who have invested good fruit in their life and lived by the Word of God will be welcomed into Heaven.
Like our Basketball varsity, we undergo lots of hurdles and life. We are shaped by physical and mental temptations. But avoiding sins and living the righteous life would win us the Paradise. In the end, when the judgement comes, we will be grouped into “wheat” and “weeds” – the wheat will be welcomed while the weeds will be thrown away.
“Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
