Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

"Wow." The first thing I thought when I read this Scripture in preparing last week was, "Wow. Scary."

I think we at this Parish like to think that the more educated a person is, the more forgiving we can be about taking the Scripture literally. We like to think "Ah ha. What a beautiful metaphor... I get it... Good for me..."

But, something else struck me about this Scripture right after, "Wow, scary." And that was the directness with which Jesus answered the Disciples' question: "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field," they said. And He answered, " The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world. The weeds are the evil one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are angels."

Direct. Question,- Response. Metaphor,- Translation. Period.

It's somehow easier to paraphrase the Disciples (or others) into a less scary metaphor, isn't it.? But it's somehow a little bit harder when it's Jesus's own words, He, himself, telling you what the metaphor means.

Who are we to say, "Oh that's not what he meant. When he says "the devil," it's just another metaphor..." I'm guilty. We all are. Because we're smart... Aren't we? But isn't there something we're all scared of? What if Jesus meant exactly what he said. What if there is an overriding force for goodness?.....what if there is an evil one.?

How do we know.

Usually, we don't.

But then there are what my friend Joe calls "God moments." Rarities, rare occurrences... once twice three times maybe in a lifetime... where there is: Clear, unequivical, understanding.

Jesus's answer to the Disciples was one of these moments. It was a gift. The gift of perfect clarity in conveying God's intentions. We've all probably experienced one,.. a "God moment..." For better or worse...