July 19, 2026 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
For being such a highly qualified carpenter, Jesus displays a lot of farming know how as well. I state that as today we hear a series of His parables based on truths about working the land. By the Holy Spirit’s mute record of those thirty-three years of the so-called “hidden life,” we are left with lots of room for conjecture about them. Did He tend a little garden behind His home in Nazareth? Did His Mother add in some vegetable plants for practicality? Or did He have a r elative who had a farm? Or did the town itself sponsor a common garden for everyone’s use? At any rate, Jesus taught the basics using the device of “parables.” Remember that He lived long before the invention of photography, much less video.
These stories of Jesus are and remain unique. No superfluous words. No detours from the main point. Colorful and appealing even 2,000 years later. True masterpieces from the One they called “The Master.”
St. Matthew provides several examples. For the sake of brevity, allow me to focus on that first one about the weeds and the wheat. His original audience would recognize the evil involved when some twisted soul would mix in weeds with a newly planted wheat field. Not only was it an unjust act, but it also was a selfish one, destined to harm the basic food of everyone who depended on a successful harvest.
Tares were one of the curses against which a farmer had to labor. They were called “darnel.” In their early stages the tares so closely resembled the wheat that it was impossible to distinguish the one from the other. When both had produced seed heads it was easy to distinguish them; but by that time their roots were so intertwined that the tares could not be weeded out without tearing the wheat out with them. The tares and the wheat are so much alike that the Jews called the tares “bastard wheat.”
One of several lessons for us here. There is always a hostile force in our world, ever ready to destroy any good seed, or better “any good deed” we do. We have to be on our guard all the time so that we won’t be caught unaware. One thing that’s ever ready to do harm is hypocrisy. We can see it in others easily enough but not in ourselves.
Once upon a time, a father complained about the amount of time his family spent in front of the television. His children watched cartoons and neglected schoolwork. His wife preferred soap operas to housework. His solution: “As soon as the baseball season’s over, I’m going to pull the plug.”
God love you and be open to the whole truth.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Wisdom 12: 13; 16-19
God gives everyone time and opportunity to give up their evil ways. He governs us “with great forbearance.”
Reading II: Romans 8: 26-27
When distress makes our prayer difficult, the Spirit makes our very sighing into a prayer. The Son of God also requests from the Father whatever we need.
The Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-43, or 13: 24-30
Parables about farm life Jesus uses to illustrate aspects of His kingdom. One fact emerges from the first in the series: saints and sinners will live side by side until the Day of Judgment.