July 23, 2011
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do." Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words of his." Exodus 24:7-8
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." Matthew 13:29-30
Piety
Our God comes and will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes, storming fiercely round about. God summons the heavens above and the earth to the judgment of his people: "Gather my faithful ones before me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." The heavens proclaim divine justice, for God alone is the judge. (Psalm 50:3-6)
Study
In the first reading, words speak louder than actions. While the people proclaim that they will "heed and do," we know from Biblical history that they did not. The consequences are revealed in the parable of the weeds in our new testament. In the end, it is not up to us to separate out the weeds from the wheat. It is not up to us to determine what to do with the weeds. It is up to the Lord. As the Psalmist reminds us, God alone is the judge. Our job is to fulfill our end of the bargain -- the covenant -- through faithful sacrifice.
Action
None of us live in this world alone. Some are here and choose to be concerned about selfish things. They care not for what happens around them. There is nothing we can do to change them but "heed and do." Heed the commandments passed down to us and act on them. Perhaps by our example, they will change. If not, it is not up to us to determine what happens to them. That decision is in the hands of a higher authority.
For whom will you be an example today? Grow together.
