Image of Scotland

I suppose that to farmers the thistle is classified as a weed, but to most people it is a lovely image of Scotland. This rather unattractive and prickly plant is crowned with a beautiful purple flower.

Not so with sin! Sinners are not crowned in such a wonderful way, and we all know what will happen to the weeds on the day of judgment.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take his harvest home;
From his field shall in that day
All offences purge away;
Give his angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In his garner evermore.

We must rid ourselves of all that offends God, so that when we die, after some time in purgatory, we are gathered into the heavenly garner.