“Let them both grow till the harvest, and at harvest time, I shall say to the reaper: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”

As we reflect on these words of Jesus in today's gospel we are reminded of an old saying often used by our parents: “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch,” to warn us about our association with bad company for fear that we would become like them.

Jesus was not too concerned about having the “darnel” removed all too quickly from the wheat, but the servant, like our parents, was anxious not too have the darnel grow with the wheat.

The servant was not prepared to wait and see whether the darnel would interfere with the growth and development of the good seed.

Very often, we too are quick to label some one good or bad without knowing all the facts. We may see someone who may appear good, but may in fact be bad; or a man may appear to be bad and yet be good.

Jesus is saying to us, we must not be too hasty like the servant; we must be patient, we must let things take their course. The time will surely come when things are put right.

Once we were preparing a group of young people for the sacrament of Confirmation, among the candidates was one particular candidate who was less than co-operative, and a constant distraction to the rest of the group.

It came to the point where the leaders were requesting the removal of this “darnel” as it was felt that his continued presence was a bad influence on the others. After much discussion and with some reluctance, the candidate was allowed to remain and continue his preparation with the rest of the candidates.

The time came for assessing the candidates' readiness for Confirmation. The young candidate was not only found to be ready, but he was unanimously selected to deliver the vote of thanks at the Confirmation ceremony. And what a speech it was!

Very often we judge others by a single action, but a man may make a mistake and be able to redeem himself and make amends, thereby turning his life around. It is at the harvest time that a man is judged.

Jesus is also reminding us that in the world there would always be the darnel that seeks to destroy the good seed. Such experiences we find in our neighbourhood, our communities, our work place, recreation groups. He warns us that we must always be vigilant and be on our guard.

There is another very salient point to this teaching and it is this - God alone discerns the good and the bad; it is God alone who sees all men and women and their lives. It is God alone who should judge. 

Lord we beg pardon for the times that we did not give others a chance; that we discriminated against them, as we only see the bad in them and not the good.

Help us to be more vigilant, and to be always on our guard for those who seek to destroy the good seed by planting darnel.

Lord we give you thanks for those parents, teachers, and leaders in our communities, who are not afraid to let the darnel mix with the good seed until the harvest.

Gospel Meditations for the month of July are by Malcolm and Janet Joseph, parishioners of St Anthony's, Petit Valley . Malcolm is the co-ordinator of Caritas-AIDS ministry and Janet is a tutor with the ALTA programme.