Our Venerable Father David of Thessalonica (c. 530); Passing into Eternal Life (1941) of Blessed Mykola (Nicholas) Konrad, Pastor of Stradch, Founder of ‘Obnova,’ Professor of the Lviv Theological Academy, and Martyr; Passing into Eternal Life (1941) of Blessed Volodymyr Pryjma, Cantor of Stradch and Martyr; Passing into Eternal Life (1941) of Blessed Andrii Ishchak, Pastor of Sykhiv, Professor of the Lviv Theological Academy, and Martyr
Apostles’ Fast.
Read
1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Matthew 13:24-30
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Having just told the parable of the seed and the sower, Jesus gives yet another parable to illustrate the fourth part of the seed that falls to the ground, grows and then the weeds (tares or darnel) begin to choke it. We already know that the seed is the Word that is sown in the field, that is, in the hearts of those who belong to the Church. The enemy, that is, the devil, Satan, sows the tares in an attempt to choke out the Word. Some of the Fathers of the Church refer to the tares as the false teachers and evil tempters.
Don’t you wish sometimes that either the Lord Himself, or at least His ministers, the clergy, or even some good pious Baba remove quickly and forever the false teachers just as you would rip out the weeds from a garden? Wouldn’t it be great to remove all those who teach a false Prosperity Gospel that is contrary to the Apostolic Teaching? It certainly seems reasonable to think this way, doesn’t it?
The Lord teaches us not to be so quick. Removing such people in such a manner may do more harm than good. As one author puts it, the Lord “wants the righteous to learn patience and for sinners to feel His loving kindness. Saint John Chrysostom says that the Lord allows us to stop false teaching, but only by evangelizing the false teachers.” Such tares give every member of the Church to continue the mission of our Lord Jesus, to bring to the Father for salvation. I know it may sound impossible, but some tares have converted and become wheat! All because of patience, seeking His loving-kindness, and participating in the mission of our Lord Jesus. Perhaps our greatest example is St. Paul – once a man who sought to harm Christians, even kill them, becoming the Apostle to the Gentiles!