ACC ~ Matthew 13 v26

THE WEEDS APPEARED

CHROMATIUS: The Lord points out that our foe the devil sows the weeds of his wickedness and malice to choke the seed of God in us. Thus he says, “But while men were asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.” The Lord indicates that the devil sows weeds among sleeping people—that is, among those who through negligence are overcome by their infidelity as in a kind of lethargy and fall asleep amid the divine injunctions. The apostle says concerning them: “For they who sleep, sleep at night, and they who are drunk, are drunk at night. Therefore let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us be wakeful and sober.” [1]

Those foolish virgins about whom we read in the Gospel, weighed down by their lethargy and infidelity, not having taken oil for their vessels, were unable to go forth and meet the bridegroom. [2] Hence it is always uppermost in the mind of this devil—the enemy of the human race—to sow weeds among the wheat.

But he who awaits the Lord faithfully, once the sleep of infidelity has been banished from him, will not be bothered by this nighttime sower. … According to the Lord’s interpretation, the good seed represents the children of the kingdom and the weeds represent the wicked children. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 51.1.1-2. [3]

[1] 1 Thess 5:6-7.

[2] Mt 25:1-13.

[3] CCL 9a:450-51.