Reflection for Sunday – July 19, 2026

Meghan KellogSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19; Romans 8: 26-27; Matthew 13: 24-43 
Preacher: Meghan Kellogg

I vividly remember the first Spring living in my new home. The large garden beds were completely empty, brimming with possibilities. Naturally, I wanted to add my own vision to my exterior and decided to map out my ideas to create the perfect garden —one with vibrant colors and a variety of perennials that would stagger their blooms throughout the summer months. But, before I could do so, new life started to pop up everywhere.

The conundrum was I didn’t have the slightest clue how to discern between a perennial and a weed! I thought it would be obvious, but with everything so small I was mostly stumped. To my neighbors’ dismay, I let the beds become unsightly in an attempt to not mistakenly remove something that had been planted by the previous owners. What I learned, in time, is that I had three huge vegetable gardens. One, in particular, surprised me as I started digging deeply enough to remove the “weeds.” I found potatoes and carrots and radishes—oh my!

 When reading the parable of the weeds among the wheat, biblical scholars remind us that the weeds to which Jesus is referring are darnel.  These are toxic weeds that appear just as wheat does in the beginning stages, rendering it unlikely for the sower to distinguish between them. How frustrating! A problem one can’t solve unless one waits patiently for future growth. 

Alas, this gives us a window into what Jesus may be trying to teach us with this parable. The view he presents may seem dualistic upon first glance, but in keeping the weeds, which he describes as children of the evil one, and the wheat,  representing the children of the kingdom, maybe he is teaching hope. Might hope be illustrated by the fact that just because we label someone as “evil,” it doesn’t mean we are correct in our judgement or that repentance and conversion are impossible? What if I were so sure my “weeds” were indeed weeds and I never dug deep enough to find those potatoes!?

There was probably a time in all of our lives and development when we thought the world was made of people who were good and people who were evil. Period. End of story. I suppose it’s comforting to label ourselves and our loved ones as the good ones! Sadly, this dichotomy often persists, as humans don’t always want to mature beyond what is comfortable and neat and tidy. 

 It takes a whole heap full of courage to be honest with ourselves, tending to our hearts, just as we tend to our gardens. I am capable of the greatest evil —and the greatest good, because I am human. But do I tend to my heart, my body where the Spirit of God dwells? Do I forget about my inherent dignity when I demean myself because I feel inferior—physically, intellectually, racially, or emotionally? Do I have an over-inflated sense of self and am I unwilling to admit my mistakes? Have I given up on myself because I keep struggling with the same bad habit? What am I holding onto that brings me darkness and hardness of heart?

 Thank goodness for the Holy Spirit.  Both the first and the second readings pair so beautifully with today’s Gospel and remind us to give thanks for God’s Spirit among us.  “For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit […] intercedes with inexpressible groanings.” Ah, yes. We don’t have to find the right words or the perfect penance. It’s about heeding the call to let go and let the Spirit guide us. Maybe this even means being open to wordless prayer, trusting that deep within us the Breath of God is at work to help us know a way that is more loving and just. 

 I think tending to our hearts also means extending that grace and clemency to others. It’s easy to get in the habit of assuming someone we dislike always has the worst intentions at heart or a hidden agenda, even when they do something kind. The truth is only God fully and intimately knows that person’s heart, struggles, and pain.  May we find it in our hearts not to judge too hastily and even when we have to set boundaries and pursue justice, that we don’t withhold all love. For how will someone experience God’s mercy and compassion if the community that surrounds them forgets we all are beloved children of God?

Meghan Kellog
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