Matthew 13:24-30 NRSVue
24He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field, 25but while everybody was asleep an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. 26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29But he replied, ‘No, for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”
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Reflection on Matthew 13:24-30
Inspiration from 2025-07-26 Daily Prayer
In Mark 7:21, Jesus said that it is from within, from the heart, that evil thoughts and wickedness come. We are all sinners, so we have a mixture of good and bad within our hearts. Since God, who loves all, can only love what is good, we can take it that the good in us outweighs the bad. God, in his loving patience, is willing to wait for us to choose what is good so that it will outweigh the bad we do. Let us spend our time on earth well.
Further reflection
The owner of the field showed tolerance and patience. I allow my life to be judged only by God, not letting my conclusions or those of others claim the last word.
Weeds compete with the crop for light, nutrients and water. I take care not to let ‘the enemy’ sow weeds in my life and ask God to take care of the field that I am.
The idea that good and bad might coexist gives trouble to the tidy mind. Jesus does not encourage a simplistic approach but calls us to humility, patience and tolerance as we allow God to work in our lives.
There are ‘weeds’ in my life for sure, but they are not the measure of the harvest that God values in me. I ask for help that my habits and choices may give growth to what is good and true.
Jesus does not condone or encourage what is not of God, yet he seems to be able to acknowledge that different motivations and spirits are at work. How might I let this spirit of Jesus shape my life?