Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 26, 2025

Date: Memorial of St. Joachim and Anne, parents of Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture Text:  Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said,‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel text recounts Jesus’ sharing the parable of the weeds sown among the wheat. Jesus’ parable helps us to understand the presence of evil in our world. We must grow beside it despite it.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I persist in loving the LORD and others even when surrounded by “weeds.”

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, source of all love and goodness, we turn to You this day, aware that there is also evil within our world. Send your Spirit to guide us and guard us, to equip us so that we might live as You created us and call us to live despite the evil that exist in our world. Grant that we may heed the teachings and examples of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as we strive to live the life we are called to live as His disciples. May we resist the evil around us and thrive in the light of your love. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.