"No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them." Matt 13:29
In today's readings the Israelites are sealed in a Covenant with God after proclaiming, "All that the LORD has said, we will hear and do." (Ex. 24:7b). A covenant is deeper than a contract; it cannot be broken at will – it pervades the trials of life. I wonder if the Israelites thought the Covenant would protect them from difficulties or hardships? (Spoiler alert – trials ahead!) We, too, today have trials to deal with even after a wonderful Sunday Mass; how do we encounter these? Christ invites us to be faithful throughout our trials. Look at the Gospel, the field was sown with good seed by God – you and me in this parallel. Yet, bad seed is sown by the evil-doer. We have that equally in society today. Some ask how a loving God can allow this to happen? We cannot know the mind of God, but we can listen to his Son in today's parable, "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." (Mt. 13:30b). Hope to see you in the barn!
Do I trust God's covenantal promise of life eternal even as I face a daily trial?
Jesus, through your love and spirit guide us through the weeds of life to be with you each day on our journey to heaven. Amen.
Today's Reflection is by:
Alan Gauzens
Did you know...
Alan Gauzens is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin. There, he is a lector and active in men's ministries including the Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You! and Tap Into Discipleship. A 2019 graduate of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, Alan and his wife Joanne have been married for 40 years and are blessed with 4 children.
