Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 36-43) in which the disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable of the weeds in the field.

Fr Paul says the parable of the wheat and the weeds, provides a profound insight into the nature of the Church and the kingdom of God.

According to the interpretation given by Jesus, the field represents the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom, while the weeds are the children of the evil one. This parable teaches us that the Church on earth is a mixed body, containing both the righteous and the wicked, the wheat and the weeds.

The Lord, in all His wisdom, allows both to grow together until the harvest, which is the end of the age. At that time, the angels will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, gathering the wheat into the barn (heaven) and burning the weeds (the wicked) in the fire.

This parable cautions us against the temptation of seeking to create a “pure” Church or society by our own efforts. Instead, we must humbly accept that the mixture of good and evil is a reality in this world, and trust in God’s perfect judgment at the end of time. We must be patient and allow God’s plan to unfold.

Ultimately, this parable reminds us that the kingdom of God is not fully realized in the present age, but is a mystery that will be revealed in its fullness at the end of the world. Until then, we are called to persevere in faith, bearing fruit as the good wheat, and leaving the final judgment to the Lord.