Brothers and Sisters,

You would not think that it would be an issue, but the sabotaging of crops happened quite frequently in ancient times. In fact, there are severe penalties enshrined in Roman law for those who attempted to damage a neighbor’s harvest. The weeds Jesus most likely is referring to is a plant called ‘Darnel’ or ‘False Wheat’. Darnel is actually quite poisonous and causes a kind of drunken nausea if eaten. Darnel in its early stages of growth looks so much like wheat that by the time it is discovered it is usually too late. The root systems for the weeds intertwine with the non-poisonous plants around it and to remove it would cause the uprooting of the good crops along with the bad. However, darnel did have a good use. Once the crops were harvested, while the wheat would be saved for milling purposes, the Darnel made an excellent source of fuel for fires.

Once again, we have Jesus, the great observer, taking the everyday and applying it in a way that speaks to his Mission. The parable of the weeds and the wheat is a statement on the world. The weeds – the wicked, coexist with the children of God, the wheat, and will endure to the day of Judgement. At that time the wicked and the children of God will be judged and the wicked will be sent to the eternal fire and the children of God will yield a rich harvest.

The message is one of patience and perseverance for the children of God. That while the wicked may rule in this world, God’s judgement is final when it comes to eternal life.

Do you ever feel that the world has a lot of really mean people in it? I don’t mean just rude or self-righteous. I mean, people who seem to get up in the morning wanting to cause others pain. People who, for whatever reason are out to only make themselves happy and don’t care what the damage is that they leave in their wake as they go after what they want. I’m not speaking about those who, because of mental health issues cannot help themselves. I’m talking about those who are so driven to get what they want they care nothing about who they hurt to get ahead. It can be hard to believe that they exist and yet the papers and the news on TV remind us every day that they exist.

Today’s gospel is a wakeup call for them. Jesus makes it very clear we will all be judged for the life we live in this world and that there will be grave repercussions for those who choose their own way over his. The good news is that along with parables like todays of the Weeds and the Wheat, there are also multiple others of God’s mercy for those who repent before the day of judgement. The key is being aware of what you are living for. If you are only living for today with no thought of eternity, beware. Your eternity may get a bit warm.

Human beings are not generally wicked. We have our blind spots that lead us into sin and left unchecked we can all find ourselves very quickly on a slippery slope heading down a road we would rather not tread. What is needed is self-reflection and a real honesty seeing our behavior clearly. Sometimes that takes others to help us. So, today I invite you to do an examination of your conscience and try to be honest about your own behavior. I think if we can achieve true honesty with ourselves we can see clearly that all of us have faults that if not checked can easily lead us in the wrong direction. If you come up with a list that is short or see no faults at all – then ask a friend whom you trust. Be prepared, however. We may be blind to our own faults, but others often have much clearer sight and will be willing with honesty to show us what we are missing.

Peace,

Fr. Steve