Scripture:
Exodus 24:3-8
Matthew 13:24-30
Reflection:
Today’s Gospel reading is the parable of the good seed, where an enemy plants weeds among the good seeds that the owner has planted.
We live in a world where the evil one exists. Those forces of evil are planted all around us, making us work even harder to establish a seat in God’s kingdom when the time comes. So, we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit to implant in us patience, wisdom, truth, and most importantly trust – trust in the strength and power of Almighty God to protect and guide us through life’s vast garden.
Think about your life, your garden and your weeds. You could pick out all of the bad influences, bad people, and unpleasant events from your life. But those influences and people and un-pleasantries are what have molded you into the person you are today. And if you try, you can allow those experiences to be a strength, not a weakness. We can’t be expected to clean out all of the chaff – the bad weeds – from our lives, because sometimes you need that experience to make you appreciate what you have, and what you have become – today.
I think of both the joyful and sad events I have experienced, and I know that my ministry today wouldn’t be as powerful if I had pulled up the weeds in the midst of the wheat – if I could have erased the sad times in my life. My weeds are my truth, my heritage, my history. I would miss the opportunity to learn so many important aspects of life, like tolerance of ideas and beliefs, charity, compassion, patience, wisdom – not to mention a faith and belief in God that has blossomed in the last few years – had I removed the weeds. People need love and respect, and my experiences have opened my heart to give others just that.
Learn the gift of working through the weeds. You may find a wealth of understanding in God’s wonderful plan – honestly, He has it all under control.
Patty Masson is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.