Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — July 19, 2026

Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here for the readings.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us another parable—this time about patience

He tells the story of a field where good seed is planted but during the night, an enemy comes and sows weeds among the wheat. As they grow, their roots become intertwined. Trying to pull out the weeds too early would also uproot the good plants.

So what’s the solution?

Let them grow together until the harvest. Then, when everything is mature, the separation can be made—keeping what is good and discarding what is not. Jesus tells us this points to the final judgment.

But let’s be honest—does this mean we should ignore evil in the world?
Of course not.

We are called to confront evil. But we must do so carefully and wisely. If we rush in too aggressively, we can do more harm than good. As the saying goes, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Evil will always be present in this world, at least until the end. The challenge is learning how to respond to it—with clarity, but also with patience.

And this is not just about the world “out there.” It’s also about what is within us.

Each of us is a mix of wheat and weeds. There is goodness in us—but also weakness, sin, and struggle. We do our best to grow in holiness, to root out what is harmful. But in the end, it is God who completes the work.

That’s what we mean by purgatory. It is the time of purification after we die when God removes whatever still keeps us from Him. Nothing unclean enters Heaven. God lovingly prepares us to be fully ready to be included among the number of saints.

And so we return to the wisdom of the first reading:

God teaches us that those who are just must also be kind.
He gives us reason to hope, because He allows for repentance.

That is how God treats us—with patience, mercy, and love.

And that is how we are called to treat one another.

Be gentle.
Be kind.
Be patient.
But also be persistent in seeking what is good.

In the end, God will set all things right. He will purify us. He will overcome evil.
So trust Him.

Have the patience of a gardener.
Have the patience of God.

Have a blessed week, everyone.