Posted by The WORD in Other Words by Fr Bernard Collera SVD (Philippines) for Tuesday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus’ disciples appeared to have been stuck with the parable of the weeds in the field. It may have elicited lots of concerns that made Jesus explain it further. Particularly disturbing perhaps is the enemy who sows bad seeds while the good man who sows good seeds sleeps unknowingly! Who doesn’t get disturbed when the enemy puts a stumbling block ahead of us? The good man’s companions want to pull out the weeds. Yet, the good man’s patient response shows his deep understanding: that pulling up the weeds might also pull up the good seeds. The challenge is then set clearly: continue growing in good so that evil becomes even more clearly distinguishable.
God’s ways are really different. Very lenient, he gives the good seeds a chance to prove themselves to be so, as they continue to grow and bloom despite all the odds posed by the weeds. The next time we become disturbed by the evil done to us by the enemy, it may be best to remember this parable and know that God knows better and will sustain us in the good for us to stay good! Evil will in the end be destroyed, and the good that shall have endured shall grow even stronger, like the light which darkness can never ever overcome.
“Lord, when we get confronted by evil in our midst, when the enemy tries to wither our patience and force us to give in to our self-serving impulses, remind us that You are the author of good and of life so that we will never give up the good, but continue in faith to stay good, witnessing to Your wisdom, mercy and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source – Bible Diary 2020
