Mt 13: 24-30
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.
And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’
But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Focus on the Wheat
The story of the weeds being purposefully planted at night among the good seeds is a parable full of ideas about how Jesus wants us to live in modern society. Obviously the good seeds, the wheat, represent us, Jesus’ followers trying to do the right thing, trying to grow and flourish. But we are indeed among weeds—the dastardly and purposefully laid weeds of war, weeds of hurtful words, weeds of betrayal. There are so many weeds to contend with. But what’s interesting is Jesus’ disinterest in those weeds. Cut them down? He says no. Rather he focuses on the wheat, on the growth, on the joy of its harvest. Don’t worry he tells us, weeds will be handled in the end.
I think we could all use a refocus on the good, and some healthy diminishment of worry about the weeds. We are told that it will all work out in the end. At times our instinct is to cut those weeds, to judge, to punish. Our faith releases us from this instinct, and allows us freedom to focus on the growth, the joy, the promise of the harvest.
Phew!!!!!! I feel lighter already!!!!!
—Kristine Mackey is the Vice President-Advancement and Communications and Provincial Assistant for the Midwest Jesuits.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to focus on what I know is right, to focus on my own words and deeds, and to continue to grow in your light. And help me to leave all else in your able hands. Amen.
—Kristine Mackey