Posted by The WORD in other words (2017) by Father Roger Solis SVD – Divine Word University, Tagbilaran, Bohol
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
When Jesus wanted to teach, He did so through stories. To fishermen, He spoke of nets and the sea; to shepherds, He used images of sheep and pasture. In today’s Gospel, He tells the parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13,23-43), likely because His listeners were farmers. This simple approach shows that Jesus, the master teacher, was never out of context. He placed the Good News within the daily lives of His hearers, speaking not only to their minds but also to their faith. “He did not say anything to them without using a parable” (Matthew 13:34).
What does this parable say to us today, living in a different time and context? It reminds us that God’s message is already revealed in the ordinary events of daily life. His Word is woven into the fabric of our experiences—whether in our professions, families, or encounters. We need not wait for miracles or extraordinary signs to confirm His presence. “The Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it” (Deuteronomy 30:14).
The challenge is to look at everything with the eyes of faith, so that we may discover what God is telling us through the ordinary.
Many of us fail to see this because we are blinded by our wants rather than our true needs. Distractions distort our vision, making it difficult to distinguish between what is essential and what is superficial. Jesus warns: “The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).
In this light, we must approach God with humble hearts and contrite spirits, asking for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). With fervent hope, we pray that God may direct our thoughts and actions according to His will. For without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, we can do everything (John 15:5).
This parable is not just about seeds and soil—it is about our openness to God’s Word in the ordinary. The question is whether we will let His Word take root in our daily lives, bearing fruit in faith, hope, and love.
