July 19, 2020 ~ 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parables:
The Hiddenness of the Kingdom

Last week, Jesus began with the parable of the sower who sows seeds on different types of soil. It was the first of seven parables related to the Kingdom of God. Jesus continues with three more parables this week.

Hiddenness recurs as a motif in all these parables: a fruitful hiddenness rich in the process of maturation: the seed growing deep within the soil in the first three parables; the growth of the mustard seed into a bush; the woman’s yeast, working its effect within the dough; and later, the treasure hidden in the field; the pearl slowly developed within its oyster, and the fish that are dragged out of their lairs deep within the sea. This long-hidden growth is followed by sudden manifestation in the daylight.

Each of these things lies in an active latent state, like the caterpillar in its cocoon, waiting to burst forth like a butterfly. But it remains hidden. Its presence and dynamism must be discovered and recognized for its great value. The only purpose in their being hidden is their ultimately being found,

as it says in Sirach (20:30): “Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, what advantage is there in either of them?”

We must discover this hidden treasure. The person who does the discovering must have the desire for the search and the determination to invest all his energy in the endeavor for the sake of great gain in the end (the harvest, the bread, the precious things mentioned in today’s parables).

Whatever the Kingdom may be, we are to conclude that the Kingdom of God, for a long while, passes unperceived by human eyes; it develops according to its own laws, not ours. The coming to light of the Kingdom coincides with God’s plan of salvation.

Next week we will hear of the field where the treasure is hidden. Is this the same “field” of the wheat and the weeds? It could be, since these two parables are so closely connected in the Gospel. Fields are not only for growing grain but for hiding valuables; at least they were in the era before banks and safety deposit boxes. But we might ask: “Who has hidden this treasure and why?” In all these parables, the chief agent is God. At the foundation of the world, He hid great mysteries that the Incarnate Word would in due time reveal to the people for his salvation and which the people in due time would discover. The whole mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven is contained in this drama of this treasure’s hiding and finding.

We just asked: “Who has hidden the treasure and why?” Now, we ask: “What is the treasure?” This is the work carried out by the Father so that we may find, as St. Paul says in Colossians, “all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God’s mysteries, of Christ, in whom all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are hidden.” The treasure is Christ Himself, whom we can discover, encounter, and receive in this “field” that is our world. Christ hid Himself in the Virgin’s womb and then manifested Himself. Many failed to seek and find Him. Though He has revealed Himself as Crucified and Risen Lord, still He hides Himself in the Host and abides with us. He is our treasure – our treasure which brings us happiness and eternal life.

Many people today say: “I don’t get much out of Mass.” In fact, we must examine not only what we receive – God’s saving Word and the Eucharist – but also our own attitudes; our desire; our sense of searching and discovering Christ. Do I seek Him as much as I seek other things in this world? Where have I found Him? What truly precious treasure remains to be discovered?

An Enemy Must Have Done This:
An Announcement about the Parish Festival

I believe that we, at St. Ignatius, must strive to be an evangelizing community, and an evangelizing community is fruitful. In his exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis refers to the parable of the weeds and wheat, writing: “An evangelizing community is always concerned with fruit, because the Lord wants her to be fruitful. It cares for the grain and does not grow impatient with the weeds. The sower when he sees weeds sprouting among the grain does not grumble or overreact. He or she finds a way to let the word take flesh in a particular situation and bear fruits of new life, however imperfect or incomplete these may appear.” (EG, 24)

Fruitfulness demands discernment and patience. The fundamental task is discernment. The parable of the weeds and wheat speaks of distinguishing what is from the Son of Man, who sows good seed, the children of God, in the field from the weeds, the children of the Evil One, sown by the Devil. In Greek, the word used for weeds is zizania, which specifically refers to ryegrass. Zizania looks like wheat as it begins to grow, but only when it is mature can one discern the difference.

Jesus cautions his disciples of the need to be patient and to discern because things are not always initially clear. While farmers discern between wheat and weeds, the Church embraces people, who have the possibility of responding to the Divine Initiative and who, by grace, can be transformed from sinner to saint, from weeds to wheat. Following Jesus’ example, we try to be patient. Patience in the art of accompaniment and discernment allows the whole Church to move forward.

We have been discerning whether to hold IggyFest 2020, one of our top community building and evangelizing events. Each year we build up enthusiasm for the parish; mobilize volunteers; engage new people; and create a family friendly environment that helps support the parish and its many ministries.

After some discussion with the Festival Committee, as well as consultation with both the Pastoral Council and Finance Council, sadly I must announce the following: Given the environmental conditions/health risks; the public perception of holding the festival; and the logistical effort required to hold a successful festival in just five weeks, as well as the current numbers of infections in Hamilton County, the mandate to wear masks, and current regulations from the state that do not yet even permit festivals, I think holding a successful festival this year is neither prudent, nor possible.

I realize this might make some of you remark: “An enemy must have done this.” Certainly, our plans have been ruined throughout this year – from the turmoil last summer to the coronavirus pandemic – by an unseen enemy.

At the same time, this is not the end of our story. We are a resilient parish. Our festival committee members have worked hard (and I am grateful for their hard work). We will be brainstorming in the coming weeks to see how we can put on valuable, community building events throughout the course of the year and how we might promote some things online. We are eager for your feedback and ideas; please send to festival@sainti.org.

People are weary of being socially isolated. As a parish, we need to be able to welcome them back to St. Ignatius and build enthusiasm. Each of you has gifts and talents which you generously put at the service of this parish and which I hope you will consider putting at the service of this community in future events, so that we can be an evangelizing community that bears abundant fruit.

Knowing how disappointing this news will be and grateful for your understanding, I wish to assure you of my prayers during this difficult time in the life of our parish, our country, and our world.