From Weeds to Wheat: The Opportunity for Repentance and Transformation

 

Adeladius Makwega – Musoma, Mara, Tanzania

 

The reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, prepared by Fr. Bonaventura Maro and shared by Vatican Radio through its social media platforms, emphasizes the greatness of God’s mercy and patience. Despite our weaknesses and sins, God does not punish us immediately; instead, He gives us the opportunity to repent and attain salvation so that we may live morally upright lives.

 

This central message is built upon the following scriptural foundations:

 

God’s Mercy: Our God is compassionate and gracious, patient and rich in kindness toward those who turn to Him.

Opportunity for Repentance: In the Book of Wisdom, we are taught that God gives us the chance to repent of our sins rather than destroy us.

Call to the Faithful:We are invited to cultivate a culture of reconciliation with God and with one another through the Sacrament of Confession, and to live with patience.

 

When the cardinals approached the altar of the Lord, they offered the following reflection:

“We continue learning through the parables of Jesus Christ about the Kingdom of God. We are still in Chapter 13 of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but at night, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. The man instructed his servants to wait until harvest time to separate the weeds from the wheat.

Then the Lord tells His disciples:

‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a tree where birds of the sky come to dwell. It is also like yeast, which a small amount can leaven the whole batch of dough.’

My brothers and sisters, these parables reveal the patience of God and the humble beginnings of His Kingdom. He will wait until the time of harvest—that is, the time of judgment—to separate weeds from wheat, evil from good. For the growth of His Kingdom is completed at harvest. He does not judge prematurely; He allows us to grow, hoping that we will bear good fruit. Justice and goodness meet in God.”

 

These are the words of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide) of the Catholic Church worldwide.

 

On his part, Mwanakwetu, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, attended Mass at St. Augustine Church, Mwisenge Parish, in the Catholic Diocese of Musoma. The homily was delivered by Fratelli Justine Mapesa, who began with a story about an airplane incident:

“A passenger plane took off from one city to another. While in the air, one of its wheels detached. The airport staff informed the pilot, who then told the passengers that anything could happen and they should be prepared. Information was also sent to the destination airport to prepare for the landing. Inside the plane, there was great panic. Passengers felt death was near, and each began reflecting on their life and repenting their sins. Catholics searched for a priest to confess. The situation was tense, but by God’s grace, the plane landed safely.”

 

Frateli Mapesa explained that the fear arose because many were unprepared to face death. Therefore, he emphasized that every believer should always live in readiness, in accordance with the values of the Kingdom of God. That is why Jesus teaches using parables, saying, “The Kingdom of God is like…” rather than giving direct definitions.

 

 

After Mass, Mwanakwetu began his journey home. Along the way, he encountered three groups of children heading to church for the second Mass.

 

The first group consisted of two girls, about 10 and 11 years old, reciting Swahili proverbs:
“What is the secret of the dead?”“The one who knows is the one who washes the body.”
“What is the punishment in the grave?”“The one who knows is the dead.”

The second group was larger, made up of boys and girls. Those in front greeted Mwanakwetu respectfully (“Shikamoo”), and he responded (“Marahaba”). Those in the middle did not greet him, but those at the back did.

The third group consisted of boys only, walking quickly with faces that appeared angry. Those in front did not greet him, but one boy at the back, despite appearing the angriest, greeted him respectfully.

 

Question: What does this story mean in light of the readings of this Sunday?Reflection:

Differences among the children – Wheat and weeds .These children represent different attitudes: some respectful, some indifferent, and some seemingly angry. Yet all were going to church. This reflects the reality of believers—within one community, there is both goodness and weakness, yet all are on a journey toward God.

Everyone has a seed of goodness Even those who appeared harsh still showed some respect. This shows that within every person, despite imperfections, there is a seed of goodness that can grow—like the mustard seed or yeast. We should not be quick to judge others based on outward behavior. Everyone is on a journey of faith, and God continues to work within them. In the life of faith, people differ greatly, but God patiently allows all to grow and change. Final judgment belongs to Him, not to us.

Mwanakwetu also recognizes that religious leaders have the responsibility to guide us back to the right path when we go astray. This article serves as a reminder to both you and me to teach our children to respect elders whenever they meet them. Indeed, along the way, Mwanakwetu reminded those children who had not greeted him about the importance of greeting elders.

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:

“From Weeds to Wheat: The Opportunity for Repentance and Transformation.”

 

Have a nice day.

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