Homily for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat illustrates the differing perspectives of the farmer and his servants. When weeds appeared among the wheat, the servants desired to remove them immediately to keep the field pure. However, the farmer advised them to let both the wheat and the weeds grow together until the harvest, when they could be separated. He demonstrated patience, knowing that he would eventually obtain pure wheat without any weeds.

In this parable, Jesus conveys a message about the Church and the individual disciples that comprise it. He acknowledges that the Church will consist of both good and evil until the end of time, when all that is not of God will be removed.

Individually, we embody a mix of light and darkness until we are fully transformed into the likeness of God's Son in the afterlife. While we strive to reflect God's image in our lives, we must recognize that sin will always be part of our earthly existence.

Like the farmer, the Lord is patient with us; we, too, need to practice patience with ourselves and others. This is not an endorsement of complacency, but rather an acknowledgment that we are all works in progress. Being a 'work in progress' is hopeful because God has started a good work in our lives. Even if it is not completed in this life, God will bring His work to completion in eternity—a promise that fills us with hope and reassurance.