"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."? - MT 13:36-43
In today's Gospel, Jesus explains the parable of the weeds in the field. Weeds are growing along with good seeds. The field is the world. Weeds are children of the Evil One, or those who are not following God. The good seeds are children of the Kingdom. Jesus sows the good seeds and the Devil sows the weeds. The harvesting of the field is at the end of the age, and the angels will come to harvest the field. The angels will gather all the "weeds" from the field - the evil doers and and all who cause others to sin. The good seeds who are left (who have grown into plants) will shine like the sun.
In the field that is our world, our local community, sometimes it can be hard to be a good seed. It can be really hard not to be swayed and tempted by the negative influences that surround us. But, we have to persevere. We have to do our best to push away the influence of the weeds and live as a child of God - even when the influence of the weeds is overwhelming.
Am I a good seed in the field that is our world? Do I do my best to cultivate the earth so that good seeds surround me?
Lord, help me to be a good seed and to follow the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Reflection by:
Maria Mertens
