A Moment To Pause: Sunday 19th July 2026

Welcome to our reflection today with Pauline Thomas from Anglesey, North Wales. Welcome to A Moment to Pause on this, the 19th of July. We hear today in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13, verses 24 to 43, Jesus laying before the crowds, three parables. In the first he likens the kingdom of heaven to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.  As the crop grew, the weeds appeared as well. Instructions were given that the weeds were to be left to grow and not to be pulled up, lest the wheat be uprooted with them. At the harvest the weeds would be gathered and burned, but the wheat would be gathered into the barn. The second parable likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed that a person sowed in a field. Although the smallest of seeds, it grows to be the largest of plants, and the birds of the sky come and dwell on its branches. The third parable likens the Kingdom of Heaven to yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened. We hear the disciples go back to Jesus, asking him to explain to them the meaning of the parable of the good seed and the weeds.  The gift of a parable is that it speaks to the heart of each person in an open ended way. Depending on our life experience, but nevertheless, it holds a precious truth that is worth grappling with. Lord, may your words speak this day to our heart, mind and soul. For they have the power to transform our lives. Thanks for joining us this morning.