Last Minute Decisions for a Post

I hope everyone is doing well, and having a good summer. Well, Labor Day is only a few days away, and for many that is the end of summer. Of course, down here in South Florida, I think summer is actually over on the first week of November…lol. If you live down here, you know what I am talking about. As I always tell everyone, it stays hot and muggy for a long time here. Anyhow, I noticed that tomorrow is the end of the month, and I had not posted anything. I have to post something, at least once a month, so this is it. This is an apologetics blog, and I was thinking that maybe I should write something about the images of coins in the eyes that show up on the Shroud of Turin image. That may be a great idea and theme, but I don’t really think I have done enough research to just write something about it at the last minute. Okay, I decided what to write about. It probably isn’t the first time I write in reference to this, and it probably won’t be the last. I am going to share a reading from the Gospel of Matthew that I always enjoy, and make a brief comment. In fact, it was the Gospel Reading at church on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, and it is found in the Gospel of Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43. It reads as follows:

“”24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 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?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 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....’”

...36 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.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears[a] listen (NRSV)!””

I always enjoy reading the Scriptures, and I hope you just did, as well. This parable is one of those that seems very clear and to the point. My take on it has always been very similar to the homily given by the Dean at church on that day of the liturgical year, I will still share my views, regardless. Obviously, in this passage, the weeds are growing together with the wheat; however, it appears that it is difficult to differentiate one from the other. Hence: “The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them.” Basically, if one applies this passage to our time and age, we also do not know the difference; therefore, it is not our job to pull the weeds. Jesus said: “40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers.” The emphasis is that “Son of Man will send his angels,” and they will do the job. Well, that is my post whether you agree or not. Either way, I am not into interpreting Scriptures, and I really do not recommend it to anyone because the assumption that one literally and wholly understands what is being read is often made during interpretation…to me that is being slightly arrogant. Of course, that is just my opinion! Hope you enjoyed reading! Blessings!

Reference:

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Bible