7.18.20 - Parables, Incarnational Thoughts, and the Parable of the Weeds is about the Church!

Parables of the Weeds, the Mustard Tree, and the Leaven/Yeast

Parables, cont’d...

Last week we discussed the meaning of parables – they are stories that convey hidden, profound messages using comparisons with everyday tasks/activities, albeit tasks and activities applicable to Jesus’ audience 2000 years (most of which was agricultural).

Time for some deep thinking. I would like to add two more perspectives: the gift of abstract thinking and incarnational thoughts.

Abstract thinking…

One of humanity’s gifts is our capability for abstract thinking. Abstract thinking gives us the ability to explore things that are immaterial and unseen; for example, working with numbers/math (its all abstract), the sciences, theories, organizing, planning, the creative arts, problem solving, and of course, analogies and parables! Abstract thinking also allow us to “travel into the future” in our minds to play out our options (i.e., if I do this, then this might happen; if I don’t do this, then that will happen, etc.); then, we return to the present and hopefully make the best decision. Likewise, our minds can travel to the past so that we can evaluate decisions what worked, decisions that didn’t work (and why not), and again return to the present to make a wiser decision.

If we take our abstract thinking to the next level, we will find out that we need it for our free-will to play out, because free will involves choosing between loving or selfish options (if I do this, I will hurt someone; or if I do that, it will help them; or if I steal this, nobody will notice, etc.). Abstract thinking is also where we plan our lies, and hopefully we think of all the what-ifs (we never do.) Our consciences are the mental arena where we evaluate our moral alternatives. Although we have the image of good imprinted in us, it is often overpowered by the ego. If we don’t allow the HS to enter our minds and lives, then our egos have a distinct advantage. My larger point, however, is that this gift enables us to communicate with God via the HS. So our gift of abstract thinking is like God’s calling card, and He is hoping we use it to find Him.

Incarnational thoughts…

Which brings me back to Jesus and parables. For some odd reason, humans love stories. We will remember a good story forever. And, if there is hidden message in the story, then we love them even more. You can see how parables became the communications tool of choice for Jesus.

Jesus uses parables to lead us into becoming better human beings, more like him. They are intended to teach us truths about ourselves, how our lives ought to reflect our purpose, and what the world means. One theologian suggested that when a truth arrives in our mind and changes us even a little, that God’s message – his Word – becomes “incarnational.” Whoa.

Actually, incarnational is apt, because abstract thinking is put to its highest purpose when God Word enters into us and becomes part of who we are.

That is also the point of sending the Holy Spirit to live within us – to help with this process.

Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat

KEY: The owner of the field is God. The field represents the world. The sower of the wheat is Jesus and the enemy/sower of the weeds is Satan. The good seed/wheat represents people who choose God. The weeds represent people who reject God to the end of their lives.

Matthew 13:24-37

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field.

While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all throughout the wheat, and then went off.

When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’

He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’

His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. 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.”’

Our parables today teach us about the nature of the Church.

If you recall, the prophesied Messiah was supposed to usher in a New Age and be like another King David. Indeed, Jesus ushered in a New Age. Jesus was also the New King David although, as he explained to Pontius Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”

Not “of this world” does not mean not in this world; it means not according to this world. The Church that Jesus established beginning with the Apostles on Pentecost is the new kingdom; and not only the New Kingdom of David ruled by Jesus son of David, but also the Kingdom of Heaven breaking into the life of humans. The Age we live in is the age of the Holy Spirit in us; wherein Heaven is meeting Earth.

If the Kingdom is here, and Jesus is the King, then you might ask: Who is the Pope?

When Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” do you know what this means?

In the kingdom under David (and other monarchies of the time), the person who ran most of the day-to-day affairs was usually the #2 in the Kingdom, just under the king, sometimes called Prime Minister; or, what was it called in Game of Thrones? The “Hand of the King.” That is the job Peter was given, and all his successors. That is why the famous statue of Peter in the square of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is holding a set of keys. You may have noticed other statues of Peter holding keys. Also take note of how the Vatican flag has keys on it. Now you know why and its biblical.

So Peter was the Kingdom's first “hand of the king," and there has been 266 since then up to Francis (share Pope List).

These Parables about the Kingdom also help us understand that the Jesus’ Kingdom is truly present in the Church, despite appearances to the contrary.

One of the reasons we have a difficult time believing the Church is the Jesus' Kingdom is because of the presence of hypocrites and sinners within the visible Church. Remember that one of the 12 apostles was a thief and betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, yet that doesn’t negate what Jesus taught or did for us. If we want to use Judas as an example, that would be 1 out of 12 – or 8.3%. So you can probably presume that 8% of our Church clergy at any given time are not good people. How many clergy have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct over the past 50 years? Just under 6%. That leave 94% who are have dedicated their lives to God and helping others, who don’t have families of their own, and they get tainted with the 6%. Let’s remember to pray for them. Besides, God has justice more than covered for those who deserve it. As Jesus said in Luke 17:2 and Mt 18:6, it would better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea than to face judgement.

In the parable of the Weeds, Jesus explains why God permits horrible sinners to exist side by side with the good: He is allowing them the opportunity to repent. Were God to execute judgment in this age, no doubt there would be many – including us – who would be judged prematurely. God knows there are those who are corrupt today who may grow wiser tomorrow, and begin defending the truth. It’s happened many times, and some of them are saints.

Did you know the Mustard Tree is more like a giant weed? It's not at all like the majestic, tall Cedars of Lebanon that Solomon used to build the first Temple! They why does Jesus compare himself and the Church to a mustard tree??

I hope to see everyone Monday night!

Ron