“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 13:30).  

The major theme for this 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on God’s charity, care, and governance, God as extremely patient, tolerant, compassionate, merciful, and hopeful toward all His creation, in contrast to our tendency to judge, distinguish, discriminate, disparage, marginalize, and dispose of one another.

We often emphasize our differences that entice us to separation, to boost our ego, to give us a false sense of superiority or grandiosity, but forget about our commonality, to promote mutual sharing, togetherness, appreciation, and the time we need for process and growth.

Our emphasis on segregation and expulsion of people because of our perceived differences has caused great intolerance and inhumane treatment in human history. Those perceived differences based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age--or human weakness of sin--offer no valid reason for segregation and persecution, because God alone has the prerogative of judging and distinguishing among His people.

God is not quick to condemn, but full of charity. God hopes sinners will be converted and warns us not to be hurrying to reject people based on unwarranted and hasty judgment, giving them no opportunity or sufficient time for conversion.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to practice God’s charitable deeds, recognize His care and governance, to follow Jesus Christ more closely, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure, and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we acknowledge God’s charity, care and governance, practice patience and mercy, help sinners to repent by our good example, fervent prayer, works of compassion and mercy?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.