July 23, 2023

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 28:10-19a
  • Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8
  • Psalm 86:11-17
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:12-25
• Gospel
  • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; When everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away, So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them, Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

Just as the 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 causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

Sermon
Today’s gospel is often referred to as the Parable of Weeds among Weeds. It is a troublesome parable. The Greek translation in place of weed is a plant like wheat, but toxic. and cannot be used to make bread. In verse 29 the owner is telling his slaves to leave the weed and do not gather it, as you risk losing the harvest. The parables are often followed by an explanation, Pastor Stevenson points out, and he thinks the parable counsels patience. Christians live among others. The parable counsels against purification. It is hard to know who are Jesus’ followers, to know who is in and who is out. Matthew concludes that it is God’s business. We know that God is present. He is like the grower who cares for the wheat by leaving the weeds. Society is a complex mixture. Be patient………..