Gospel Reading – Matthew 13: 36-43
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the 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 causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Kathleen Ritchie RIP
Reflection:
Here we have Jesus explain his parable of the wheat and the weeds (‘darnel’) growing together – now as a dramatization with a cast of characters (so that the audience can identify just how they each perform their ‘part’).
First we have Jesus (‘the Son of Man’) coming into the world to spread his kingdom of Life and Light in people’s hearts. Those who accept the kingdom then find themselves ranged against the Forces of Darkness, whose leader is the Evil One (who uses every opportunity to create havoc).
For victory, however, and for the harvesting of their good deeds, the faithful followers of the kingdom will have to wait for ‘the end of time’ – when heavenly powers will curb the power of evil, and the evil-doers will get what they deserve. This parable is there to re-assure us that our decisions (for good or for evil) do really matter – and that our efforts (especially our struggles) are really taken seriously by the Lord.
- The world and the individuals in it are a mixture of good and evil. We have within ourselves warring spirits. Am I aware of these spirits within myself?
- Pray today to gain knowledge of the true life in Christ and an understanding of the deceits of Satan?
