Scripture Scribbles: July 23, 2023

the Gospel

Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
"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."'"

the devotion

“Didn’t I just see you here last week?” Fr. Ron questioned, smiling. “Well, much has happened since then,” I confessed sheepishly, waving my itemized list of infractions, simultaneously brainstorming how to expand my pool of confessors to avoid future embarrassment. I don’t like weeds (sins). Wanting Jesus to “pull up the weeds” from my field (soul) is reminiscent of St. Paul’s plea for Jesus to remove the thorn from his flesh. Jesus’s response: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

As much as I want to be perfect, I am simply incapable of doing any good on my own. However, if I tap into God’s grace, available through the Sacraments and prayer, He will provide strength and transformation. A priest explained that it is 99% God’s grace and 1% me cooperating with it.

The good seed that God planted will still bear fruit amidst the weeds. Carelessly yanking out some deep-rooted weeds (habitual sins) would “uproot the wheat (virtue).” Yes, I will try to be vigilant and awake, avoiding the near occasion of sin, as the “enemy came and sowed seeds . . . while everyone was asleep.” Yes, I will give Jesus (the harvester) permission to “collect the weeds . . .  for burning” and work my field in His way, His time. What a gift to receive Sacramental grace through confession! See you next week in reconciliation, Jesus, (through Fr. Ron or equivalent) for your healing and gentle purification.

Today’s devotion is written by Karen Molvar