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| Resurrection Catholic Church |
1211 S. Vineland Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Main Office : (407) 656-3113 |
Dear Parishioners,
After today’s parable, I’m asking myself a very simple question: Am I the weeds of the wheat?
I imagine that some of us are convinced that we are the wheat. We're certain that everything's wonderful with our relationship with God --- nothing needing to be changed,
nothing needing to be improved upon. We find ourselves very confident that nothing in our lives needs to be amended or fixed or improved, nor are we in need of conversion
of any kind. God most certainly is very, very pleased with us. We are the good people of this world. It's the other people who need to get their act together, other people who
are the problem. I'm doing my part. Why can't others do theirs? If only there were more people like me ---- this world would sure be a better place.
Conversely, some of us are completely certain that we are the weeds. God could never love us - no way, no how. That's asking too much. We've made too many mistakes.
We've caused others too much pain, too much sorrow. We've done so many things of which we are ashamed, turned our backs on God one too many times. No matter how
many loving things we do we'll never find favor with God. It's impossible. For those of us with this mindset, life seems more than a little hopeless.
Well, if you ask me, both of those attitudes can be pretty dangerous. On one hand, if we're absolutely positive we are the wheat, we're basically saying that we have no need
for a Savior. If we're absolutely positive we are the weeds, we're basically saying that what Christ did for us and our salvation didn't make a difference. It was all in vain.
But it sure is tempting to look around and try to figure out who is the wheat and who are the weeds --- who are close to God and who aren't, who are good and who are bad,
who can breathe easy and who better watch out because they're pretty close to the edge. This is a pretty slippery slope my friends --- a very precarious place to be
spiritually.
Therein lies a truth that helps us 'understand the weeds and the wheat. You see, we're not just one or the other for the duration of our lives. We just aren't (thank goodness).
We're dynamic creatures, having a tremendous capacity for change. We have the God-given ability to make decisions that affect and shape who we are. Those decisions are
solely ours to make --- no one else's.
Specifically, in light of Christ and his saving act, we have the opportunity to let God create us anew each and every single day, not just one time, twice, or a few times. This is
the Paschal Mystery. This is the pattern. We can be estranged from God today, and back on the right path tomorrow. Or we can have a wonderful, intimate relationship with
Jesus this very second, and a minute from now harbor unloving attitudes which begin to erode that relationship. But in either case --- it's our choice to make, and it will always
be our choice. The ability to make these choices is a gift from God, something to be treasured.
So let's try not to judge others. Let's not try to do the sorting for God --- that's not our job, nor should it be. Let's not be so sure of ourselves when it comes to reading the
heart of another, or the mind of God. Instead, let's leave it in God's hands, do the best we can, and encourage others to do the same. It's not much more complicated than that.
When we fail--- and we will time and time again ---let's have the confidence and courage to turn back to the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and trust in a loving God who values us
more than anything. May Mary guide us in this endeavor.
So, are we weeds or wheat? Only God knows.
Blessings be upon you and your family, my good people of God!
Fr. Alex Dalpiaz, c.s.
Pastor
| Welcome My Good People |
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