Have you ever found yourself saying, "I just don't have enough"? Not enough time to get everything done. Not enough patience to deal with a difficult situation. Not enough energy after a long week. Not enough faith to face an uncertain future. At one time or another, I think every one of us has felt that way. The disciples certainly did.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What would you be willing to give up if you knew you were about to gain something far greater? Most of us make sacrifices every day. Parents sacrifice sleep to care for their children. Students sacrifice free time to earn a degree. Athletes sacrifice comfort to become stronger. We willingly give something up when we know what we gain will be worth far more than what we leave behind.

Dear Parishioners, We live in a world that expects immediate results. We want fast internet, instant answers, same-day deliveries, and quick solutions to life's problems. Unfortunately, we sometimes bring that same impatience into our relationships with other people and even into our relationship with God. In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30). A farmer discovers that weeds have appeared among his wheat. His workers immediately want to pull them out. It seems like the obvious solution. But the farmer responds, "No... let them grow together until the harvest." At first, his answer seems surprising. Why wait?

Dear Parish Family, Every gardener and every farmer understands that healthy plants begin long before the seed is planted. The quality of the harvest depends on the condition of the soil. Good soil must be cultivated. Rocks must be removed. Weeds must be pulled. Hardened ground must be loosened so that the seed can take root and grow.