The Old Testament includes a well-known belief in a chosen people with a deity who intercedes for them. They are distinguished from other people who are not chosen and against whom that same deity inflicts punishment. Paul repeats the Old belief in Sunday’s second reading. Fortunately, Jesus gives us a wholly different Gospel message in his parable about wheat and weeds.
A chosen people for whom a deity beneficially intercedes play the role of the wheat in the parable. Unchosen people punished by that deity are the weeds. The theology reflects an ancient mindset which is unfortunately still believed. The theology has different names. Atonement is one, sin-redemption another, and still a third is remnant theology. Remnant refers to a select chosen few who are good and spared punishment; the wheat. An example is Noah’s family surviving the flood and Lot surviving Sodom’s destruction. The theology is inextricably linked to salvation for the chosen remnant and damnation for the unchosen weeds. Among those currently promoting the theology are members of The Remnant Church. Members are “radically committed to calling the rising army to this last day movement … A people who have escaped this world so that they can be found by god” A chosen army fleeing this world so as to be a uniquely saved remnant does not reflect Jesus’ way. Yet, members believe Jesus supports their chosen remnant status and apocalyptic predictions. They claim today’s Gospel offers support when Jesus says, “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.'” But Jesus’ parable does not support them. Jesus is using the metaphor to warn disciples away from judging or punishing here on earth. Chosen wheat remnant types are not to devise earthly harvest times against unchosen weed types. Jesus says, “No!” Do not pull up the weeds. “Let them grow together until harvest.” Disciples are not wheat chosen to judge or punish our brothers and sisters in the world mistakenly believing we are ridding it of weeds. We may well be the weeds at times.
“On the way home from work every evening, there was a homeless man at the exit of the freeway. Whatever his appearance, his eyes always struck me, they had a sparkle – like an inside light was beaming out. He waved at every car, happy, smiling. At work I would remember to gather spare change to give to him. A feeling of joy came over me when I was with him. If the light was red we’d talk a bit. His parting words were always the same, “I’m blessed!” Then one day my boss told me I was being laid off due to the economy. I was engulfed in worry, a single mother of four all I could think of was “how am I going to provide for my kids, what am I going to do?” On my way home I was extremely sad and upset. I didn’t remember to look for spare change and could hardly keep my mind on driving. Then at the off ramp I saw him. He set his eyes on me and strolled over to my car. He had a big smile and then looked into my teary eyes. He said, “Today I will give you a dollar.” I was blown away. I started sobbing. On that afternoon, he gave me more than a dollar bill; he gave me his joy. He gave me my decision to be joyful. On that day I learned I was blessed and have been forever grateful to my teacher.”
Prayer: Spirit, open me to the joy of wheat and weeds sharing life together.
Question: How does my theology reflect the trap of some people being more loved by God than others?
July 23, 2017 Gospel Matthew 13:24-43 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time