Daily Gospel Reflection for August 1, 2023

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

Reflection by Emily Davis

Today's Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

When we look out into the fields of flowers, we cannot tell that some of the beautiful flowers are weeds. The same happens when we meet groups of people. Being in a military family, I have met so many people and been fooled by the “weeds amongst the wheat” when I wasn’t keeping my eyes on God.

Jesus shared the parables with us because he knew that moral and spiritual lessons would be easier to understand when we could visualize them. Jesus knew that most humans would need these illustrations, and I am so thankful. Moral and spiritual rubrics are easy to memorize, but an example of the lesson seems to stick with me more. How about you?

Earlier in Matthew 13, Jesus tells the Parable of the Weeds amongst the Wheat. The wheat and weeds grew together, and when the reaper harvested them, he separated them and burned the weeds. In Jesus’s explanation of the Parable of the Weeds, it’s so clear that Jesus is the good in the world, which He refers to as the field, and we all have the choice to follow His moral/spiritual laws or follow Satan, who breeds evil ones amongst us to try to lead us astray. We must learn to live with them, yet not become them – lest we get burned up like the weeds (unrepentant evildoers). I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be “harvested” to heaven.

When life is hard and chaotic, we cry out “Where are You, God?” But this parable teaches us we must learn patience and trust in His promises. This lesson is hard, and I need to get to confession. Aren’t we so blessed as Catholics? Now, I need a shirt that says, “Be the Wheat!” 😇

Ponder:

How do you ask God to show you the good and evil in your life when the line between them gets blurry?

Pray:

Dear God, thank You for Your Holy Son, Who taught us so well. Please always show us the weeds we need to prune so they don't overtake us and grant us the patience we need to wait for Your signs about when to do this. I love You, Father.

Click to tweet:
When life is hard and chaotic, we cry out, “Where are You, God?” But this parable teaches us we must learn patience and trust in His promises. This lesson is hard, and I need to get to confession. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Emily Davis

Emily Davis is -- Catholic. Texan. Wife. Mama. Grandma. Crafter. Volunteer. Friend. Teacher. Writer. Faith Influencer. Recently made empty nesters, she and her husband, Marque, have been living in Italy since 2018, in support of the Navy/DoD. They are looking forward to this new period in their lives but miss their children and grandchildren dearly. Emily volunteers for both the Catholic Community and Military Community overseas. Her blog is Our Home, Mary’s Mantle.