Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man
who sowed good seed in his field.
While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The slaves of the householder came to him and said,
‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?’
He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’
His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
“First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn.”‘”
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
How does the enemy benefit by sowing weeds all through the wheat?
The enemy tricks me into caring for the weeds.
If there are enough weeds among the wheat I can be duped into thinking that this crop is going to bear fruit that will benefit me.
The truth is that not only do the weeds deceive me but they also take up my time and energy and there is no produce of value.
This is a good time to ask the Holy Spirit to help me recognize and care for the growth that will bear proper fruit in my life and in the kingdom of God.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.