Gospel MT 13:36-43
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Reflection:
“Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
I can’t imagine who would not listen when they hear that there is a chance they might be thrown into a “fiery furnace where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”
But, we are also told there is the possibility they might “shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.”
Today’s gospel is a challenge for me because it’s phrased in such black and white terms. Take literally, it would seem that I have the choice of being either a “good seed” which will go to Heaven or a “weed” which will burn in the fires of Hell.
The reality is, although I try to be good, there are a lot of weeds in me.
And, quite frankly, it is hard for me to imagine the God of mercy that I read so much about in scripture would actually “throw” one of his children, no matter what they had done, “into the fiery furnace.”
Certainly, I couldn’t do that to one of my kids and no parent I know could either.
We are made in the image of God.
So, how do I balance my thoughts and feelings about God with today’s scripture?
I believe that life is a constant struggle to overcome my dark side, “the weed” in me, and try to move toward the light, the “good seed” of God’s love, in whose image we are all made.
At the end of life, I do not expect I will be perfect.
But, as for what remains of my dark side, God’s mercy will prevail and my loving Father will welcome me home.
If I did not believe this, it would be impossible for me to maintain hope in the face of my many imperfections.
The key to salvation must be love. Saint Peter tells us, “Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”1 Peter 4:8
“Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew: 26:28