Exodus 24:3-8 / Matthew 13:24-30
We use words when we talk and communicate with others.
Words have a literal meaning as well as a figurative meaning.
What meaning a word has depends on the context it is used.
In the 1st reading, Moses used the blood of the bullocks to express the Covenant between God and His people.
Half of the blood, Moses cast it on the altar.
The other half, he cast it on the people.
So the blood of Covenant is as literal as it could mean.
But while God was faithful to His Covenant, the people became the “bad blood” of the Covenant.
Figurative speaking, the blood of the people became bad and they were unfaithful to God, violated the Covenant and committed evil and wickedness.
But God cleansed the blood of the Covenant by sending His Son Jesus who shed His blood on the Cross to save us from our sin.
By His blood on the Cross, Jesus has cleansed our hearts of sin and evil so that we can bear a good harvest for the Lord.
And may the words we use in talking and communicating with others bring about peace, hope and joy.