REFLECTIONS TODAY
When Moses relates to the Israelites the words and ordinances of the Lord, they enthusiastically reply, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us” (Ex 24:3). But the people will have to face the “weeds” that will prevent them from being faithful: dangers, idolatry, injustice, and loss of trust in the Lord. In the Gospel, the enemy sows weeds all through the wheat to prevent the farmer householder from getting an abundant harvest. The farmer’s servants propose to pull up the weeds but he allows the wheat and the weeds to grow together—until harvest time. This shows us that God does not punish the unjust outright because the person has the capacity to repent and change for the better. Moreover, even upright persons have “weeds” in themselves that they have to watch out for. We have to be patient with ourselves and with others as the Lord is patient with us.
GOSPEL • MATTHEW 13:24-30
Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “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.”’”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.