Last week we listened to the Parable of the Sower of the Seed, and Jesus returns to this theme of “planting” in the Gospel this weekend, themes that might be more powerful to His 1st century Palestinian listeners, who understood the cycle of planting and harvesting perhaps better than we do today.
When I spoke about this in our Outdoor Classroom at the Family Mass last week, I pointed out how the carefully planted area of native New Jersey plants and flowers – planted only two years ago – had rogue crops of tomato and zucchini which came up around the altar and along the fence … more than 100 feet away from the produce garden that supplies our local food pantry.
Were those planted by an “enemy?” No, just scattered by the birds and squirrels who visited our garden the year before. God’s creation continues to unfold every day, in every place. Sometimes this comes forth with great strength. I have been trying to grow Rose of Sharon plants from seeds I carefully collected last fall, but most grew, then died when re-planted outside. However, I noticed random Rose of Sharon plants growing around the Outdoor Altar a few weeks ago, mixed into the other ground cover. When I dug up and transplanted about of dozen of these plants, most flourished in my backyard! Were they hardier? Probably not, as I collected the seeds from that same Rose of Sharon bush last fall!
What made them more vigorous? My guess is that relates to Jesus’ comments in the Gospel today. He tells those who would pull out the weeds: “No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest.”
You see, God’s plan for nature is more powerful than my plan, my carefully chosen potting soil, grow lights, and months of watering. His plan for you and for me is equally more powerful than our own efforts to carve out a path forward. If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
If you want to flourish as a disciple, listen with your heart to His plans for you, His guidance to be the “best disciple” version of yourself. He made you to flourish; in a world where weeds and dangers are unavoidable, accept, and expect, His protection and love.