The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat exemplifies that two different realities can co-exist and dwell together in time. The sown seeds, both good and bad, have an equal chance of growing. This reminds me about the co-existence of good and evil in me and the interplay of virtue and vice in my life.

Reflecting on the passage, I can view myself as a seedbed or soil in the field where good seeds are planted. However, without realizing it easily, the farmer notices that bad seeds were also sown along with the good. In life, this could be our bad thoughts, weaknesses, flaws, and our capacity to sin. The frailties I carry are represented by the weeds that threaten the good seeds—the good qualities I have through the grace of God. God, for a purpose, lets these two aspects interact. Their interaction develops in me greater freedom and propels my journey of faith to full growth. The owner of the field allowed both wheat and weeds to grow together until harvest time because at harvest, he would know full well which of the two bears fruit.

There are times when I find myself simply tolerating such weeds to grow in my heart. I sometimes experience frustrations and failures that lead me to sow weeds further in my life. These weaknesses in me recur whenever I get tempted to commit sins. However, I must not forget that God constantly sows good seeds in me. He never lets me be devoured by the weeds that the enemy, the devil, is also trying to cultivate in me.

Echoing the message of the passage, I am now challenged to continue cultivating in my heart the good things that can help me in my spiritual journey. Though I may still carry the baggage with all my flaws, I am confident that God is working in and through me. He continuously nurtures and molds me as he gradually pulls up the weeds from my heart. He lets me become a better version of myself so that I may become ready to share the good fruits with others.

By: Sem. Marlon T. Yebes

Today’s Gospel

Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds.
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man
who sowed good seed in his field.
While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The slaves of the householder came to him and said,
‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?’
He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’
His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
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.”‘”