Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mass Celebrated by Archbishop Hart
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Sunday, 17th July, 2005, at 11.00am

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Gospel story of the good seed and the weeds shows us that in our world good and bad will often grow up together. Jesus invites us, because we know him, to follow his way and to provide an example and light for the world in which we live.

We cannot merely divide things into two categories – good and bad. Rather we have to keep the vision of Jesus clear and show example and provide encouragement that others may grow into Jesus’ vision.

Because we are all sinners, aware of our weakness, let us ask the Lord for pardon, light and strength.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The new farmer’s parish priest stopped by to bless his fields, which were overrun with weeds. He prayed, “May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams!”

A few months later the priest came by again. He was amazed at the progress. The weeds were gone. “Amazing!” the priest exclaimed, “Look what God and you have accomplished together.” “Yes, Father,” the proud farmer said, “But don’t forget what the farm was like when God was working it alone.”

Like the farmer’s land our lives can become overgrown and rundown. We all have lots of work to do and we cannot do it alone. The challenge that each of us is given is to grow in knowing and believing Jesus Christ.

The Gospel story assures us that despite our weakness the seed of Christ still grows because ours is a graced growth. Our growth to be like Jesus Christ does not depend only on our personal effort, but is heavily dependent upon the grace of God. Taking the challenge is showing discipleship.

William Thompson, one of the greatest physicists of the nineteenth century in England, received this letter from his father. “You are young; take care that you are not led to what is wrong. A false step now or the acquiring of an improper habit might ruin your life. Frequently look back over your conduct and thereby learn wisdom for the future.” Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice said, “Mercy drops as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It’s blessed, it is twice blessed, it blesses him that gives and him that takes.” Or William Blake wrote in 1789, “Where mercy, love and pity dwell, there God is dwelling too.”

Our challenge today and each day is to truly hear these words, to take them to heart and mind and soul and make them ring true in our lives; mercy, love, pity, justice.

In this Year of the Eucharist prayer in the presence of Jesus urges us to be like him, to follow him closely, to actively welcome and allow God’s grace to grow in us, shape us, prune us and prod us until the harvest of eternal life. For us, as followers of Jesus, it means a resolute seeking for truth and justice, a purposeful conquest of self, a wonder and hope at our God, who is so understanding of our weakness. It calls us to grow in faith, hope and love, which are the means of serving him. We know the Lord is good and forgiving, inviting us to be good and faithful servants, as lights shining to lead others humbly and yet simply.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.