Stories play an important role in our lives.  They pass on information, life experiences, and illustrate our faith and social norms.  Growing up, I loved to read. But even more, I enjoyed listening to someone tell a story or to read to me, and I still do.  

Jesus was a master at telling stories.  He had the ability to draw people in, to hold their attention, and to fire up their imaginations.  Jesus often used parables to teach about God and God’s unusual ways.  Unlike the fairy tales of our childhood, Jesus used parables that had surprise endings; that describe how God is present with us and is active in our lives; often in unexpected ways.

As a gardener, I can relate with the two parables from Matthew’s gospel which we encounter this weekend.  No matter how much attention and care we give to our gardens, controlling weeds is an endless task.  No matter how many weeds we pull, more continue to sprout, and grow among the plants. In some ways we have to learn to live with harmless weeds in our garden and focus on pulling out the harmful ones.

Jesus uses the metaphor of weeds to draw our attention to the world in which we live.  We are surrounded by people and things that may not share our values, that perhaps tempt or distract us from our faith, from doing the right thing.  But Jesus reminds us that the Spirit still moves in and among the weeds.  No matter where we find ourselves in life, God can still speak to us, using the world around us to see God’s loving presence in our lives.  When we nurture our faith, we learn that no obstacle can stop God from producing good things in us.  The tiny seed of faith we are given at birth can grow strong and mighty, even among the weeds we encounter in life.

As we enjoy the week ahead, take a moment to reflect on what fruit our faith is producing and perhaps what we need to do to remove or limit the things that distract us or turn us away from God’s beautiful presence in our lives.

May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

Fr. Harry