Wheat or Weeds?

Readings for Tuesday July 27, 2010

First Reading: Jeremiah 14:17-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 79
Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43


Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."(Mt 13:36-43)

Most of us remember in gym class the importance of being on the team that was most likely going to win. I remember when choosing teams, that I hoped that I would be on the team with the best athletes for that particular sport. Obviously, no one wanted to be on the team that would most likely lose, we wanted to be on the team that gave us the best chance for success.

Today's gospel, explains the parable of the weeds among the wheat. Jesus is telling His disciples how the one who sows good seed is the son of man, and the one who sows the weeds is the devil. At the end of the age, the harvesters (angels) will go through and collect the weeds, bind them up and throw them into the furnace. Those who bore good fruit in their life and lived for God will be welcomed into Heaven with open arms. One can think of this as being a parable among a winning team (wheat) and a losing team (weeds). Here is the only difference between our gym class example and the parable ... we get to choose which team we are on! When it comes to whether or not we are on God's team, and whether not we will be bound for heaven, the choice is ours. We have a choice, we can either say yes to God's plan and live our life totally for Him; or we can say no, and choose to live our life for ourselves. We get to choose whether we are the wheat or the weeds.

Like we said before, it is important to make sure that we are on the winning team. In this instance, we know that being with Christ is being on the winning team; and the devil is on the losing team. Those who choose Christ not only choose the winning team, but the eternal reward that comes from being on the winning team.

"Those who have ears ought to hear."

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for all that you give to us and for you great blessings in our lives. Help us to be good stewards of all that you entrust to us. May we never take this life, or any life for granted, and may we always seek your perfect will in all things. Lord, we belong to you, help us to never stray from your path. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.