Are You a Wheat or are You a Weed?
By Andrew Domingo
July 23, 2017
July 23, 2017
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us of three parables – The Wheat and Weeds, The Yeast, and The Mustard Seed. I wish to ponder on the first parable, The Wheat and Weeds.
I’m sure most, if not all of us, are already familiar with the story and its meaning. We all know this famous parable from Jesus since it was being taught to us in our religion classes since we were kids. We also kept hearing about this story in the Mass when it is the gospel to be read. Jesus himself already explained the parable’s rich meaning to the disciples, but let us allow ourselves to ponder more deeply on the messages and lessons Jesus wants to convey to us.
I searched online the meaning of wheat and weed and this is the definition that Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary gave me:
wheat - a cereal grain that yields a fine white flour used chiefly in breads, baked goods (such as cakes and crackers), and pastas (such as macaroni or spaghetti), and is important in animal feeds
weed - a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants
Upon reading the definitions above, we can see why Jesus aptly used these two to symbolize us people. Translating these definitions in the context of our human lives, we are called upon to examine whether we are like a wheat or a weed.
A person who is like a wheat is one who gives nourishment and strength to others. They become instruments and ingredients for growth. A person who is like a weed however, impedes the growth of the other. They become a hindrance to the development of a good life.
Think about it. Are my actions contributing to the positive growth of others? Am I a source of strength for others to strive to continue living a good life?
When you’ve realized that you are like a weed, do not fall into despair.
When you’ve realized that you are like a wheat, do not lose hope for the other.
The parables do not just speak about us. They also speak about who God is.
Last week’s gospel was also a parable; the parable of the sower. The priest’s homily struck me when he went to God’s role in the parable. He said that God is a foolish farmer. What kind of farmer, in his right mind, would sow seeds on a soil that would not help the seed to grow and develop a bountiful harvest? That farmer must be insane for he will just lose the money he spent on buying seeds just to see some of those to initially grow but eventually perish.
In the parable of the wheat and weeds, God seems to be a foolish farmer. But no, he isn’t. The prophet Isaiah tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways are our ways. What may seem to be the wisest move for us is different from God’s wisest move. The foolish farmer is in fact a merciful and patient farmer.
GOD IS PATIENT. GOD IS MERCIFUL. GOD IS LOVING.
We are all His children. He cares for us despite our shortcomings and disobedience to His good will. So do not lose hope if you’re a weed right now. Do not lose hope if you repeatedly caused conflict and grief to others and to yourself. You can still make amends and change your ways. You can still grow to be a source of strength and nourishment to others. As for those who are like a wheat, do not lose hope to the other. Help them become part of the rich harvest. Help them in their struggle as you too are struggling in your growth. Be a source of goodness not just for the ones you are in good terms with, but to everyone you meet daily.
- That in all things, God may be glorified! -
I’m sure most, if not all of us, are already familiar with the story and its meaning. We all know this famous parable from Jesus since it was being taught to us in our religion classes since we were kids. We also kept hearing about this story in the Mass when it is the gospel to be read. Jesus himself already explained the parable’s rich meaning to the disciples, but let us allow ourselves to ponder more deeply on the messages and lessons Jesus wants to convey to us.
I searched online the meaning of wheat and weed and this is the definition that Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary gave me:
wheat - a cereal grain that yields a fine white flour used chiefly in breads, baked goods (such as cakes and crackers), and pastas (such as macaroni or spaghetti), and is important in animal feeds
weed - a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth; especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants
Upon reading the definitions above, we can see why Jesus aptly used these two to symbolize us people. Translating these definitions in the context of our human lives, we are called upon to examine whether we are like a wheat or a weed.
A person who is like a wheat is one who gives nourishment and strength to others. They become instruments and ingredients for growth. A person who is like a weed however, impedes the growth of the other. They become a hindrance to the development of a good life.
Think about it. Are my actions contributing to the positive growth of others? Am I a source of strength for others to strive to continue living a good life?
When you’ve realized that you are like a weed, do not fall into despair.
When you’ve realized that you are like a wheat, do not lose hope for the other.
The parables do not just speak about us. They also speak about who God is.
Last week’s gospel was also a parable; the parable of the sower. The priest’s homily struck me when he went to God’s role in the parable. He said that God is a foolish farmer. What kind of farmer, in his right mind, would sow seeds on a soil that would not help the seed to grow and develop a bountiful harvest? That farmer must be insane for he will just lose the money he spent on buying seeds just to see some of those to initially grow but eventually perish.
In the parable of the wheat and weeds, God seems to be a foolish farmer. But no, he isn’t. The prophet Isaiah tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways are our ways. What may seem to be the wisest move for us is different from God’s wisest move. The foolish farmer is in fact a merciful and patient farmer.
GOD IS PATIENT. GOD IS MERCIFUL. GOD IS LOVING.
We are all His children. He cares for us despite our shortcomings and disobedience to His good will. So do not lose hope if you’re a weed right now. Do not lose hope if you repeatedly caused conflict and grief to others and to yourself. You can still make amends and change your ways. You can still grow to be a source of strength and nourishment to others. As for those who are like a wheat, do not lose hope to the other. Help them become part of the rich harvest. Help them in their struggle as you too are struggling in your growth. Be a source of goodness not just for the ones you are in good terms with, but to everyone you meet daily.
- That in all things, God may be glorified! -