Holy Ground Is Not Weed Free

Jesus’ parable about weeds and wheat growing in a field together (Mt 13:24-30) made me think of a movie I saw recently called The Biggest Little Farm. This documentary chronicles the efforts of a couple to create an organic farm and their belief that diversity is the key to a healthy life, which means that everything belongs in the world and has a role to play, even things we consider to be nuisances or pests.

This belief was put to the test when gophers (which are useful for aerating the soil) became too numerous and ate the couple’s crops and coyotes started killing a large number of their chickens. Instead of killing the coyotes, the couple trained dogs to protect the chickens. The coyotes then began feeding on the gophers, which controlled the overpopulation of this rodent.

A commitment to diversity means that we value all life that God has created and do not try to eliminate certain people/animals/plants because they inconvenience us, require us to share our resources, or are not to our liking.

Consider this: God may be trying to feed us with plants we consider weeds. Here in the Midwestern United States, we consider purslane a weed, yet it is highly nutritious, offering us antioxidants, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids; in fact, calorie for calorie, purslane is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. Similarly, people we have no use for or find annoying may offer us gifts and lessons we would never obtain from our friends.

Having a weed-free life should not be our goal. We will be much healthier, both physically and spiritually, when we allow diversity to flourish in our lives instead.