Sixteenth Sunday Ordinary Time (Year A)

Homily

Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB
Archbishop of Perth

Sunday 19 July 2026
St Mary's Cathedral, Perth

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Many of you will remember, I am sure, that last Sunday we listened to the parable about the Sower who goes out to sow his seed and who does so rather haphazardly - we might even say recklessly. Rather than plant each seed individually, the Sower strides along, casting the seed in handfuls from side to side.

The result is that while some seed falls into rich soil and produces a great harvest, much of the seed is lost, either because it falls into poor soil or rocky ground and fails to take root. While at first sight it may seem that the Sower’s efforts are largely wasted, the real point of the parable is rather different. The method the Sower adopts really reflects the large-heartedness of God who issues an open invitation to everyone to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Some people will miss the invitation because it does not reach them, others will receive the invitation but reject it, others again may be initially enthusiastic but ultimately unable or unwilling to persevere, while others whose hearts are open to God’s presence in their lives, and who continue to strive to make room for God in their lives, will find that their lives are enriched and fulfilled in ways beyond their expectations. In the end, then, this parable is not about the thwarting of God’s plans, but rather about the extraordinary goodness and generosity of God who gives himself freely and completely to anyone who is open to him.

This morning’s gospel, also about a Sower, offers another perspective to reflect on as we enter and contemplate the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. Today’s Gospel picks up one aspect of last Sunday’s reading, the idea that some seed fell among thorns which grew up with the wheat and choked it and develops it a little further. Rather than thorns, however, this morning’s passage speaks of darnel, a particularly noxious weed which in today’s parable is deliberately sown among the wheat by the enemies of the Sower. When darnel seeds first begin to sprout the infant plant is almost indistinguishable from the young wheat. It would be impossible to weed out the darnel without losing most of the wheat as well. The only option is to let them both grow together and patiently separate the weeds from the wheat when the crop is ready to harvest.

If last Sunday’s gospel speaks to us of God’s extraordinary goodness and generosity, today’s Gospel invites us to also reflect on God’s patience and forbearing. Because of the sinfulness of humanity which has been present and spreading throughout history and is still doing so today, it is not always easy to recognise the reality of sinfulness in our society, in our local communities including our Church communities, and in ourselves. Sometimes things which only appear to be good initially, much like the darnel in today’s parable, reveal themselves as anything but as time goes by. This is true of movements within our society, of particular attitudes which may take root and grow in our local Christian communities, and also, and perhaps most importantly, within ourselves.

The message for us today, I think, is two-fold. Firstly, to the extent that it is possible, we need to be aware of the power of evil which can hide itself deep within us and deep within our communities and our society, masquerading as something positive, and take whatever steps we can to protect ourselves.

Perhaps, if the Sower had been more aware of the danger of his enemies ruining his crop, he might have been able to take precautions to protect against this happening. It would be wise for us to reflect on what precautions we might take to guard ourselves against the power of negative forces ruining our lives and our faith. One such precaution, of course, which we are already taking this morning, is to come together to find support in each other’s faith, in the Word of God which can enlighten and guide us, and in the gift of the Lord Himself in the Eucharist which can protect and strengthen us.  This is the precious gift God gives us through communion with His Church.

Secondly, both last week’s parable and this morning’s gospel remind us that it is God who is the Sower: it is God who takes the initiative in offering us the gift of faith. And it is God who then, through the gift of His Spirit, confirms and fulfils His promise that, especially in and through the Church, He will continue to be with us, to protect us, to heal us, and to guide us.

But as we draw this morning’s reflection to a close, it is important to remember that God offers His gifts to us, and especially through the sacraments, unfailingly gives them to us, but God always leaves us free to receive these gifts with joy and use them to the full, to push them to one side and ignore them, or even ultimately to reject them.

This is the choice which the Lord puts before us again today. Next week’s Gospel will speak of the importance of that choice and what it might require of us. Putting the three gospel passages together - last week's, today's, and next week's - will help us understand what it means to enter into the Kingdom of God. So watch out for next week’s gospel reading; it is worth waiting for.