The Wheat will be separated from the weeds

Jer. 14:17-22, Mt. 13:36-43. In today's first reading, Jeremiah lifts up a prayer to God, imploring the mercy of God over His people due to the promises of the covenant made to the Chosen People of old. Jeremiah, as a spokesperson for the people, admits the people’s sinfulness and asks for pardon for their sins and for rain to end the drought. The psalm also offers penitential prayer to God for His mercy in spite of the sinfulness of the people. It ends in a hymn of praise to God who will take care of the people who are the sheep of divine flock. Today's Gospel paints a picture of what will happen in the end times with the explanation of the parable of the sower. Those who have co-existed together will be gathered before the Master. The wheat, the children of the Reign of God, will be separated from the weeds, the children of the evil one.

The wheat will be gathered into the Reign of God while the weeds will be thrown into a fiery furnace. God has kindly given us all the opportunities to seek redemption and forgiveness and that is why He has not judged us based on our sins and punish us. In due time, unless we remove the taints of sin, we shall have to face the consequences in full. We must remember this fact, that we are truly precious in the eyes of the Lord and we are so fortunate to have this loving God by our side. Yet, more often than not we reject God’s love and compassion, His mercy and forgiveness and continue walking down the path to ruin because we are unable to resist the temptations of the devil.

May the Lord instil in us the virtue of tolerance and help us to bring joy, not pain, to those we meet! Amen!! Keep safe and have a great day!!!