Reflection for Tuesday
of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Jer 14:17-22; Mt
13:36-43)
At the end of the parable of the
weed planted among the good seed, Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” This phrase indicates the
seriousness of the message, and the need to be attentive and for prompt response
to it. Prophet Ezekiel used the phrase to show that the word of God was being
announced to a rebellious and stubborn people (Ezk 3:27). Hearing that
statement, we come to understand how the word of God respects our freedom of
choice, and sets us free. At the same time, it appeals to us to choose the
message and act on it. “He who has ears, let him hear” presumes that we
have ears, and should be wise to listen to do what the word says. And
we are responsible for the consequences that would come upon us if we turn deaf
ears to the word of God.
At the end of the parable, the
unproductive and useless weeds, which represent all causes of sin and
evildoers, are gathered by Angels and thrown into the furnace of fire, where there will be
great suffering. “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of
their Father.” So, he who has ears
will surely choose to live a righteous life. But knowing the right thing to do does
not mean we will do it automatically. We do not easily listen to what God says,
but we want God to listen to what we say.
The Prophet Jeremiah in the first
reading addresses God as the only true God who hears His Children. So, he
pleads to God on behalf of the people, telling Him all the sufferings and
terrors they have been through. “If I go out into the field, behold, those
slain by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine...”
He asked God not to abandon Zion as they acknowledge their wickedness, the
iniquities of their fathers, and their sins against God. Since God hears and
answers prayers, Jeremiah affirms that their only hope is in God.
Therefore, to have an attentive ear
to God who listens to us, we must incline our hearts to righteousness. Sin
blocks our spiritual ears, such that we live like those who have ears but do not hear.
And none of us can bear the consequences thereof. To develop an attentive ear
to God, we must begin to listen to the silent voices within our hearts that
speaks of peace, love, and self-denial. Every prompting of the heart that
inclines us to selfishness and pride must be rejected. If we are attentive to
God, surely, we will be attentive to those around us. We have ears; let us not
harden our hearts, but listen to the word of God today (Heb 3:15).
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday July 28th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
