Weeding the Garden
Gospel Reflection for July 26, 2020
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.” (Matthew 13:36-43)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains that at the end of the age, the good will be separated from the evil. Jesus places good children of God onto the earth, while the Devil is simultaneously placing evil among the goodness of God on earth. We need not worry about the ‘weeds’ among us, since they will ultimately be separated from God’s children. Not only will God’s angels remove evildoers but also those who cause others to sin. It is not enough that we refrain from sin ourselves, but we must also make sure that our actions do not lead others into sin. Those who are separated from God’s children will lament their fate, complain, cry, and admonish God for casting them into the fire. Yet we know that each person has free will, so entering into hell, which is the privation of God, is a choice that each sinner made for themselves. As long as we remain close to God and do not abandon Him, we will enter into God’s kingdom, bask in the glow of His love, and shine with the light of goodness.
Copyright 2022 Jessica Tucker
At first glance this may sound like theology 101, but at 75, I can tell you that Jessica's words are more profound and deep than you might think. They bear much thought and meditation. After all Jesus said it first!