The Wheat and the Weeds: A Story of God’s Mercy

Saturday 24th July 2021. Read Exodus 24:3-8, Psalm 50, Matthew 13:24-30

“The servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest...’” (Matthew 13:28-30)

There is the story of a farmer who found an eagle’s egg and placed it among the chicken’s newly laid eggs. Eventually, the little eagle developed in the midst of the chicks not knowing it was different. One day, the eagle looked up at the sky and saw the giant Eagle soaring above and he said to its fellow chicks: “how I wish I can go up there” but in response, they said: “no, you can’t, you are not meant to fly.”

Dear friends, the constant challenge before us Christians is being able to realize our true potentials as wheat and distinguish ourselves from weeds. You are meant to be wheat; you are meant to shine, you are meant to fly. You are meant to be a Saint. Do not be discouraged by the many weeds you find even within the Church.

Another important lesson in this parable is that it is very wrong to judge everyone as the same. For instance, the fact that you are yet to meet a truly God-fearing Christian does not mean such persons do not exist. From the parable of the sower, we learn that some Christians are like seeds among thorns, some are seeds on rocky ground, some are seeds on good soil.

While it may be easy for some Christians to live very holy lives, there are some who find themselves in environments that ordinary acts of virtue are simply heroic. There are indeed ears of wheat among the weeds.

You might wonder, why does God allow bad Christians to go scot-free? Why does God allow fake pastors to ply their nefarious trade in His name?  Why won’t God just cut down those disgracing His name and giving a bad reputation to others? The answer is simple: God is merciful. God takes no pleasure in the punishment (death) of the sinner.

God believes that people can change so He keeps giving second chances again and again. God knows that in punishing the sinner, the saint suffers alongside. God allows the sinner to be but the day of harvest must surely come. The fact that you have never been caught doesn’t mean you are smart, it only means your day of harvest hasn’t come yet. As we come to the end of another week, let us examine our hearts: “Have I been a wheat or a weed?” Go for confession today.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, make me realize my security is not based on church or denomination but on sincere worship. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 16 in Ordinary Time, Bible Study: Exodus 24:3-8, Psalm 50, Matthew 13:24-30).