EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

PROPER 11

My Brothers and Sisters,

Today is the eighth Sunday after Pentecost. St. Matthew 13: 24-30 records the story about the farmer, who plants good wheat, but while everyone is sleeping the enemy sneaks in and sows weeds among it.  By the time both are growing the servants are upset, “Should we pull the weeds now?” The master said, “No, wait for the harvest.  If you pull them up too soon, you will damage the wheat too.” This is a picture of the Kingdom of God right now.

The good seed is the Word of God and the people of God. The weeds are the work of the enemy and the effects of sin in the world and even in the church. We should not be surprised when we see both wheat and weed growing side by side. The world is not yet as it should be, and the church is not perfect either.  Yet God remains in control of the field. The servants want quick action, “Let us deal with it now.” The master says, “No, wait.” The reason is because premature judgement hurts people.  God is patient, he is after a harvest, not just a clean field. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. That means we live in a time of both wheat and weeds. In our families, in our workplaces, in our hearts. God is still growing people, and he gives time for repentance, for growth, for rain and sun to do their work.

God sees everything and nothing is missed for there will be a day of separation and justice. The weeds will be dealt with, and the wheat will be gathered safely into the barn. Our job now is not to play judge over everyone else. Our job is to stay rooted, keep growing, and to bear grain.

For us today, be patient with people. You see “weeds” in others and want to call it out immediately.  Ask God, “is this my role right now or is He still working in them? Speak truth, but do it with the goal of a harvest not just to win an argument.

Be faithful where you are planted, you cannot control the whole field, but you can make sure you are receiving the word, the water of the spirit and the light of Christ so you can grow as wheat. Trust God with the final sorting. Vengeance, bitterness and the need to expose everyone, belongs to God. Our calling is love, witness, and to wait with hope. The master of the field is coming back.

In concluding the master says, “Let us grow together until the day of harvest.” He is not sleeping. He is sowing, watering and waiting. So let us be people who grow wheat - people of truth, grace and fruit. Let us trust that on the day of harvest, God will gather what is His and we will be safe in his barn.

Lord, help us to grow in you, while we wait. Give us patience with others and faithfulness in ourselves.



Yours in Christ,

Rev. Beverley Donald