Today’s gospel brings us another parable that uses an image of a sower and farm. Similarly to last Sunday, today’s readings are not about agriculture at all. Instead, the image of a sower, wheat and weeds, as well as the harvest described in the gospel teach us a lot about our spiritual growth and relationship with God.
In this short interpretation, I will mention just two morals (out of many) from today’s parable.
First, the wheat among weeds symbolizes our virtues, and limitations or weaknesses in relationship with God. God planted many gifts and good values within us but we have learned many vices and developed limitations during our lives.
Some of the vices and limitations became habit and it is impossible to detach from them. Instead of fighting our whole life, we can make friendship with our limitations. Then, we can place them in a proper place and live beside them in peace. Our spiritual journey is more difficult because we must carry additional burden of our limitations, which are slowing us
down, and make our spiritual journey with God less enjoyable and fruitful. But it is still better than to fight our whole life without any progress towards God. I believe God in his mercy and compassion allows us to continue our earthly journey and will welcome us as we are, with our vices and limitations at the time of harvest.
Second, the image of wheat among weeds symbolizes our prayer. Prayer is like a nourishment and necessary element of our spiritual growth. We have a good will and make an effort to pray. We use a variety of methods and kinds of prayer but our prayer is often interrupted and disturbed by our temptations and crazy thoughts anyway. Our prayer becomes like a place of
battle of good and holy thoughts against the evil ones. And indeed, we often choose to battle during our prayer.
Today’s gospel offers us a compromise that might be helpful. Instead of battle, we can include the interrupting thoughts into our prayer and make them part of reflection. We can embrace them and learn of who we are from them. This kind of prayer will definitely keep us humble.
One thing is certain. Whatever way and kind of faith journey we choose, it is always a struggle. We need a lot of effort and hard work. As long as we continue and not give up, we grow spiritually and journey with God. Let’s be encouraged and grateful for today’s gospel.