The kingdom parables will come in full force in these next several passages.
The parable of the wheat and weeds is perhaps a surprising one to those of us who think it our job to maintain the purity of the Church. It may also be an answer to an oft-asked question regarding why God doesn’t just take care of everything right this very minute. But it’s certainly a conclusive statement regarding God’s coming action in the world in which all things will be set right by the removal of those things that do not belong to righteousness.
Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like someone who planted good seed in his field. While people were sleeping, an enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat and went away. When the stalks sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.
“The servants of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Master, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then how is it that it has weeds?’
“‘An enemy has done this,’ he answered.
“The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them?’
“But the landowner said, ‘No, because if you gather the weeds, you’ll pull up the wheat along with them. Let both grow side by side until the harvest. And at harvesttime I’ll say to the harvesters, “First gather the weeds and tie them together in bundles to be burned. But bring the wheat into my barn.”’”
Prayer
God,
Thank you for today, Sunday, the day of resurrection. From where I sit, the sun is shining through deciduous trees that have begun the annual purge. Such a cycle in the things of life and death is necessary, eh?
I pray for your Church throughout everywhere. Speak to us, your people today. Help us to know your Word, who is Christ. Give us wisdom and discernment regarding his person that we may know our own. Fill us with your grace by his body and blood. Send us out to reflect its loving sacrifice.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.