Matthew 13.24-35

Gospel according to Matthew 13.24-35

He proposed another parable to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while the men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds amid the wheat, and then went away. And when the plants had grown, and had produced fruit, then the weeds also appeared. So the servants of the Father of the family, approaching, said to him: ‘Lord, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how is it that it has weeds?’ And he said to them, ‘A man who is an enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Is it your will that we should go and gather them up?’ And he said: ‘No, lest perhaps in gathering the weeds, you might also root out the wheat together with it. Permit both to grow until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers: Gather first the weeds, and bind them into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather into my storehouse.’ ” He proposed another parable to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. It is, indeed, the least of all seeds, but when it has grown, it is greater than all the plants, and it becomes a tree, so much so that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches.” He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of fine wheat flour, until it was entirely leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds. And he did not speak to them apart from parables, in order to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, saying: “I will open my mouth in parables. I will proclaim what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

Reflections

Fields of wheat, a tiny seed and yeast for making bread are images in Jesus’ parables as he teaches us about the Kingdom of Heaven. Each of these images are easy to connect with, especially now in the summer, when the plants are growing and yielding their fruits, and when we can enjoy the sunshine and the smell of freshly baked bread. However, among the good seed, there are weeds, as well. We know that from our gardens, orchards and fields. When the good seeds grow well, there is also weed that grows with them.

Jesus uses the parable of the wheat and the weeds to talk to us about good and bad actions. Good actions are those that follow the Gospel values. Bad actions are those that oppose the Gospel values. Jesus says that, at the end of time, only the good actions will be saved. All what is evil will be destroyed. His message also helps us to understand that all that we have done well will be carefully collected and saved for eternity.

The parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast help us to understand that good actions follow from good decisions. Good actions lead to good habits and show good example for others. A tiny act of kindness and mercy can go a long way to change our world for the better. The rewards of good deeds are that they become eternal.