Daily Gospel Reflection for July 23, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

On the day I ordered packets of wildflower seeds, I needed hope. Deep into lockdown during the pandemic, excitement grew in my heart as I pictured colorful wildflowers blowing in a gentle breeze. Just the thought was soothing to my soul. Alas, reality was a different story.

Cosmos, poppies, and daisies were slow to germinate. Meanwhile, one mysterious plant began to grow. Higher and higher it soared, five feet and more. It must be a sunflower, I told myself. Hmmm…it does not really look like a sunflower. I took a photo and posted the mystery plant on Facebook.

“It’s pigweed, “came the response. “Pull it up.”

My husband and I have kept a garden for many years. I am the one who weeds. Dirt gathers on my garden pants as I kneel and meditate, always returning to the same thought. Weeds are like sin. Weeds are the enemy. In today’s gospel, we read:

“Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?”

The parable explains that while men were sleeping, the enemy came and sowed weeds. Do not pull up the weeds lest wheat be uprooted. Wait until the harvest, until the wheat roots are strong and can endure separation from the weeds.

Sin infiltrates the garden of our soul, secretly, while we are sleeping. Think of the pigweed, disguised as a sunflower, perhaps like a good intention gone awry. Pray that God shows us our sins, that we might not mistake a pigweed for a sunflower.

Ponder:

Do I examine my conscience daily in an honest attempt to root out sin?

Pray:

Dear Lord, show me my sins that I may grow closer to You. Shine Your light in the darkness of my soul so that I might be healed.

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Pray that God shows us our sins, that we might not mistake a pigweed for a sunflower. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Kathryn Swegart