Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Pentecost 8 | July 23, 2023 | Mt 13:24–30, 36–43 | David H. Brooks |

A newspaperman named Doug Larson once quipped that “a weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except growing in rows.” I would flip Mr. Larson’s observation on its head and say, “a crop plant is one that has mastered every skill except surviving.”

If you have put your hand to growing a useful plant, whether food crops like corn, tomatoes, beans or squash or suburban lawn crops like fescue, zoysia, gardenias or roses, you quickly discover that your favorite plant will not do well without help. You must intervene. Domestic plantings need watering at regular intervals, fertilizer at regular intervals, herbicides and pesticides at regular (judicious!)intervals. I was admiring a neighbor’s lawn once and asked what kind of grass he had planted, and he said “Goldilocks.” Since I had never heard of that varietal, I looked quizzical and he said “my grass cannot handle it when it’s too hot, or too cold; too wet, or too dry; too much neglect or too much effort. Everything must be just right.”

By contrast, weeds will be happy to take your Goldilocks plants behind the shed for a “conversation.” They will grow when there’s drought or flood, good soil or bad, lots of sun or lots of shade. They don’t care. They will take over, crowd out, spread themselves into every available square inch of the landscape. They don’t care.

But we care, don’t we? In our gardens and lawns, we are quick to excise any weed. We care about the aesthetics—we want a pristine lawn. We care about health—we want prize-worthy vegetables. We care about results—we want a bountiful harvest. Whether it’s the croquet ready lawn or the bumper crop of…well, crops… we know we need to be vigilant.

In a similar fashion, many care about the Church. It is an easy shift—perhaps, too easy—to think that we should have the same vigilance about weeds in our parishes. After all, this is the way the world works—the “cancel culture” that is getting so much attention these days is nothing more than people rushing to judgement, wanting to simultaneously show their righteousness as they eliminate what they think is a noxious weed. It is easy (encouraged?) to look at a brother or sister and think “yep, they look pretty weedy. Better cut them down.”

Which is why the advice Jesus gives through the mouth of the landholder is counterintuitive for us. He counsels patience. Do nothing—a time is coming when what is of God and what is of God’s Enemy will be revealed and addressed. Do nothing, lest good, valuable wheat be uprooted with the weeds. In this one statement we hear the purest Gospel—God is patient, God is willing to wait, God sees what we do not, and he has time. After all, as St. Augustine remarked, God is doing something unexpected—he is turning weeds into wheat! God also cares, and so is at work with you and me to help us not just survive, but thrive, to grow in beauty and in strength and in joy.

So let us do what we are supposed to do—grow! Rather than seeing ourselves as the servants, well-meaning even if mistaken, why do we not embrace what we are: the pleasant planting of God, where good seed was scattered, where good soil lets the Word finds root, where in time abundance will be celebrated. Wise gardeners and farmers know and understand that the most effective treatment for weeds are healthy plantings.

Don’t chase weeds; grow strong desirable plants. Vigorous lawns and gardens outcompete weeds that try to gain a foothold. Good growth and maturity win the day! So let us attend to the refreshing Word and be diligent in our study of Scripture. Let us practice being in the presence of God our light through prayer. Let us stretch ourselves through lives of generosity. Let us be patient and humble with one another, quick to confess, even quicker to forgive. The day will come when those who belong to God will shine, and there will be many who will say “thank you for not cutting me short.” Amen.

Rev. David H. Brooks

Raleigh, NC USA

Pr.Dave.Brooks@zoho.com