Coexist

There is a popular bumper sticker which uses symbols of different religions and cultures to spell the word ‘coexist’ that I see often on the road. On the one hand, the bumper sticker expresses the desire to be ‘left alone’ to ‘live and let live’ those around us. On the other hand, it is truth.

The Lord said this parable. “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 householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seeds 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

In today’s Gospel lesson we hear about a similar need to coexist. If the servants attempted to pull the weeds, the good crop would be damaged, and the harvest would be at risk. “Let them grow together,” was the only chance for a good harvest. The same is true in the Church.

This is not the only comparison to weeds that Christ uses to describe our salvation. The time for pulling weeds is when they first sprout, before they damage the crops. Once weeds intertwine themselves among the crops, pulling them does more damage than allowing them to remain.

Within the Church the need to coexist does not mean we embrace sin. It doesn’t mean we stop ‘pulling weeds’ from our hearts. It means there will ‘always be that someone’ who is working against Christ and the Church. Sometimes it does more damage to remove that someone.

Christ is the Sower AND the Harvester of the Church. We are His servants. Read today’s passage again and pay attention to the opening words, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to….” At the Final Judgment, Christ will take care of gathering the weeds.

I’ve been watching all the ‘fuss’ about the opening ceremonies at this year’s Olympic Games. I was offended as so many others were, but I have refrained from posting publicly, lest I damage the crops trying to pull the weeds. We must ask ourselves, “Why should this issue matter?”

The symbolism of good seed and weeds is as much about the world as it is about the Church. We have no choice but to coexist with those who do not believe as we believe, even with those who mock us. Allow God to determine who is gathered and who is burned. He is God, not us.

If you were offended, I don’t blame you. Although I didn’t watch the ceremonies, what I saw disturbed me. Going on a public rampage doesn’t change my offense, but it may damage those around me, those within the Church. Instead, turn off the Olympics and the offense is gone.

In the meantime, pull the weeds from your heart. Focus on the rich fertile soil of your heart. If someone lives next door, or sits in the next pew, learn to coexist with them. There may come a time when your strong faith inspires them to pull their own weeds.

One thing I have learned from working in my garden. The healthier my crops, the harder it is for weeds to disturb them. As I work the garden and the healthier crops ‘take over’ often the weeds fade away. Weeds prefer being left alone. If you want less weeds, then work your soul more.

When that one ‘pesky’ weed finds its way into the core of your crops, learn to coexist for the sake of the crops. Become strong enough that coexistence doesn’t hurt you. It only gives time for God to do what He does best. Let God gather. Let God bind. Let God be God.