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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.
Despite the interpretation offered in verses 18–23, I don’t think this parable is a word about personal salvation. This is a word about the coming of God’s kingdom for all. The victory of the kingdom of God is sure. The message of the parable is not an appeal to work hard to bring in the harvest. The kingdom of God will come, and according to Matthew, quite frankly we will have nothing to do with it. The seed has been sown by the Son of Man, who accompanies the community of faith throughout history. The harvest is God’s doing.
