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| “St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28
Commentary on Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28
The excerpts from the Book of Exodus paint a picture of Moses' relationship with God. It is clear from this and previous readings about Moses that he had a unique relationship with the Lord, and was able, as he did in this passage, to intercede on behalf of the people. The construction of the meeting tent described in this passage is taken up in later scripture. The Ten Commandments are restored to the people following their destruction in Exodus 32:19 as Moses fasts. We note the duration of his fast is of the same duration as Christ’s fast in the desert following his Baptism by John.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Commentary on Ps 103:6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13
Psalm 103 echoes in gratitude the gift of the Law from Exodus, and the relationship of Moses to God the Father. Though we are unworthy, God shows us love and compassion.
CCC: Ps 103 304
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Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43
Commentary on Mt 13:36-43
Jesus dismisses the crowd who, in this instance, represent the unbelieving of Israel. The remainder of this passage is directed at instruction of the disciples. The Lord’s explanation of the parable of the weeds clearly shows the intent of the story. The judgment of the wicked by God through his angels will take place in the Eschaton (the end times – the end of the age). The righteous will be vindicated (shine like the sun). The final statement: “Whoever has ears ought to hear,” is both a warning and a statement of the need for patience by the faithful.
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Reflection:
So often we forget that there is a dynamic struggle taking place in the world between God and his nemesis, the Evil One, as the Gospel names him. We mistakenly think that evil is passive in the world and while we should avoid it, it does not seek us out.
Jesus makes it clear that the struggle is ongoing and that the children of God are at risk, not just of sinning of their own accord, but of being seduced by the Evil One and falling into eternal fire. The warning is apt. The evil of the world has trapped so many right-intentioned people. We see the devil portrayed in scripture as a fallen angel. If, therefore, we consider how an angel might appear to us, we must also consider that should the fallen one present himself to us, how are we to know that it is not one of God’s messengers who persuades us to take a course of action?
In the desert, when Christ was tempted by the same Evil One, the devil, we recall, even quoted scripture to the Lord to try to seduce him away from his salvific mission. He offered food to a hungry man and water to one who thirsted. He offered all the kingdoms of the earth, essentially the fulfillment of Christ’s mission, to Jesus who came to save all people for the Heavenly Father. All this he offered if our Lord would but bow to him, the fallen angel. How tempting that must have been to the Lord as he looked past his trial in the desert and saw at the end of his earthly mission the cross of his passion standing starkly at Golgotha.
The Lord’s warning to the disciples and hence to us is indeed apt. We, who strive to keep Christ’s mission of love visible in the world, are challenged constantly not by some benign evil that sits like a pit for us to avoid; but by a malignant evil, active and insatiable that seeks to ambush us, choke us as weeds, as we attempt to do God’s will. Our attitude must be one of constant vigilance and prayer. It is only by keeping this vigil and remaining in a state of constant discernment that we can see evil for what it is and avoid the terrible harvest at the end of time. “Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Pax
[1] The picture is “St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
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