Chi Rho Reflection for the Week of July 12, 2009

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As one of the on-going ministries of Chi Rho
Press, here is a selection from our book of daily
devotions, "Living as the Beloved: One Day at a
Time," by the Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.

Please read the Scripture passage and Dr. Bochonok's
meditation. we hope you will be blessed.

Thank you for forwarding this to your friends.

Weeds

"Another parable Jesus put before them, saying,
'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man
who sowed good seed in his field; but while men
were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds
among the wheat, and went away. So when the
plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds
appeared also. And the servants of the house-
holder came and said to him, "Sir, did you not
sow good seed in your field? How then has it
weeds?" He said to them, "An enemy has done
this." The servants said to him, "Then do you
want us to go and gather them?" But he said,
"No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up
the wheat along with them. Let both grow
together until the harvest; and at harvest time
I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first
and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather
the wheat into my barn."'"
Matthew 13:24-30

The parable reminds us that God is in control
and knows the tactics of the evil enemy very
well indeed. God is an eternal strategist,
patiently giving people an opportunity to
respond to the Gospel and turn from evil
before the day of reckoning, a spiritual
harvesting. People of faith understand there
will someday be a judgment day. Followers of
Christ need not fear.

Imagine it is your job to harvest this field of
weeds and grain. Even with the sage advice of
the householder we realize the kingdom of heaven
is touched by enemies armed with the intent to
harm, destroy, and sabotage the work of God in
the world. Like the householder, we are in a
struggle of good versus evil. Evil may begin in
subtle ways, extending its tentacles of influence
before we notice. Those who work for God are
sometimes at a loss for knowing how to respond
to the malicious deeds of sin and destruction,
but this particular householder did not forget
to have faith or about how to care for his crop.

What does this story mean in our lives today?
How are we living the kingdom of heaven on
earth? Are we identifying evil and drawing
on wise, God-focused advice to extinguish it?
Are we making the world a better place by how
we live? Write your thoughts and prayers in
a journal. Ask God for insight and new
direction.

The next six parables specifically illuminate
spiritual truths about the kingdom of heaven,
a new direction for all the faithful straight
or gay, Christian or not. The parables bring
us into the heartbeat and soul of the message
of Jesus and help us understand God's strategy
and God's love. Each of the parables begins
with this simple phrase, "The kingdom of heaven
is like. . . ." If you have ever wondered what
heaven was like or what heaven on earth could
look like, read on through the next reflections.
These six parables are simple enough for a child,
yet profound enough to offer adults a lifetime of
insights.

God, open our hearts to respond to you. Bring
us into a fuller understanding of how we should
be living your kingdom of heaven on earth today.
Bless us as we work for good and fight evil in
our world. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Chi Rho Press

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