Today we have heard a parable of Jesus, one that I suspect feels less comfortable for us as Lutherepiscopalians, Episcoplthertailines? For us, this parable, when heard with the ears of 2026, through the past two decades of culture wars and growing polarization, becomes very disturbing. We are inclined to hear the weeds and the wheat as people. Some destined for destruction because of the seeds implanted in them by the devil. Some destined for heaven because of the seed implanted in them. It's an image that creates us-and-them groups: us perfect, them the devil. An image that is scary and separates us off into our own safe corner of the field, forever impossibly trying to drive out the devil. But that's not how I read this parable of the sower. If we think about this story in connection with last week's parable in which Jesus calls the gospel good new seeds, it becomes clear that the devil's seed are those things that stop the growth of God in our lives. And the weeds that steal space in the field.
I’d like to propose we look at the field in this parable as our lives in the world. We as individuals are a field in which wheat and weeds, grace and sin, grow together. We are all called to spread the good seed of the gospel God has planted in us, but find ourselves choked by weeds that have grown up within us. As part of our process of thinking about the way forward as a congregation, we identified that we like being the church as we are, and that we want to share that with others. We want to sow gospel seeds. So, here I have to apologise to the introverts, this is interactive; we are going to stand up and have a go at writing down any ideas we have for sharing the gospel, of inviting people into church, put them on post-its and stick them on my wheat board. And on Post-it notes we are going to write anything we think gets in the way of inviting people to church on the weeds board. You have about 3-5 minutes; please stick by the boards when you are done.
Ok, now have a read and put a check next to any of the wheat you think you would be willing to do, and on the weeds board put a check next to anything that you also feel stands in the way of inviting people to church.
Alright, you can head back to your seats. We will look at these boards to help leadership and inform our planning for inviting folks to church, for helping all of us share the gospel seeds. Now you may have noticed that you had a postcard invite to our annual summer picnic in August on your seat. You are, of course, invited, but this postcard isn't for you. It's to give to someone else and invite them. This is a challenge for you, and I want to be clear: there is no shame attached to not giving this postcard to someone else. We all have different gifts and different callings. We have also said as a church we think this is a place that grows that good in us, shares the harvest of God, and that we want to share it. A summer picnic is an easy invite, easier than a prayer vigil, a serious bible study, or even a regular Sunday service. So it is an opportunity to join Jesus in treading down the weeds in our lives (name some from the board) so we can spread the good news of God’s love that we share with one another and the world here at Emmanuel. Amen.