Jesus speaking to Thomas said,
“I am the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6
Image Courtesy: Ascension Press
Jesus Teaches in Parables — The Parable of the Weeds
Jesus ministered, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field but while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ An enemy did this, the owner replied. The servant’s asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.
At that time I will tell the harvester’s: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’
The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Jesus continued teaching, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Jesus continued, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables, He did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the Prophet:
- “I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” (See: Psalm 78:2)
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. Jesus’ Disciples came to Him and said, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.’ Jesus answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world and the good seed stands for the people of His Kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one (demons) and the enemy who sows them is the devil (Satan). The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will weed out of His Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them them into the blazing furnace, (Hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Jesus taught, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
The Parable of the Net
Jesus continued, “Once again. the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in the baskets but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw (the wicked) them into the blazing furnace, (Hell) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Have you understood all these things?
‘Yes,’ they replied.
Jesus said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the Law who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasure as well as old.” –Matthew 13:24-52
- You May Know the Joy of Salvation, Forgiveness of Sins
and Eternal Life Today Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!
Related: For the Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Rose of Lima, Visit: -USCCB
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