Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
If you have weeds in your yard, you know how difficult it is to keep it from taking over. This year clover has gone wild in my yard. I do not use weedkillers because they are bad for the earth, bad for pets, bunnies, birds, bees, squirrels and other wildlife. They can be fatal for humans too. To manually weed them out without also pulling up the grass is not only difficult but also time consuming. Nevertheless to say, my yard is always a little messy.
The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat is not a difficult one to understand because of our experience with weeds. But the problem it addresses is a complex one. I would like address this complexity and do it in light of the other scripture readings for today’s liturgy. I would like to reflect on the problem, the solution, and the wisdom behind the parable.
The Problem
The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat addresses an age-old question – if God is good and everything God created is good, then where did evil come from? In the book of Genesis, the serpent is presented as the source of evil. It is one way of saying that evil is a reality, but that it did not originate in God.
The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat has a different explanation. Evil is attributed to an “enemy” (Mt 13:25). As the master said to his workers, “An enemy has done this.” In the interpretation of the parable Jesus offers his disciples, he said, “The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil” (Mt 13:38-39).
There are few things we can conclude from this. First, the problem of the existence of evil is not a new problem. It has existed since the beginning of time. Second, evil is real. We know this because we see it every day in the world and we face the choice between good and evil daily. Third, the question is not a simple one. An outside explanation like ‘serpent’ or an ‘enemy’ does not explain it enough. We have to read between the lines to understand the origin of Evil and its continuing effects on the world. In other words, while it is clear that evil did not originate from God, it is not enough to look for an ‘outside’ answer. We may want to look within.
The Solution
We have to keep in mind that when the book of Genesis refers to the serpent and Jesus refers to the enemy, they are only answering the question about the origin of evil. In today’s gospel the question is, “Where have the weeds come from?” (Mt 13:27). By saying “An enemy has done this” Jesus is saying that evil did not originate from God. In other words, both Genesis and Jesus are answering questions about the origin of evil but not about the working of evil in the world or in our lives. The prevalence of evil and its presence in the world needs a different explanation.
Perhaps you have heard people say, “The Devil keeps tempting me.” It is one of the most common phrases I hear in the confessional. It is as if the Devil is sitting on our shoulders and constantly dictating our thoughts and actions. Perhaps we are looking ‘outside’ for the problem 'inside'.
Instead of blaming the Devil perhaps we should look within ourselves. Weeds and wheat exist in the human heart. The moment someone goes for that drink that crosses the line, it is not the Devil’s work. That choice is made within the human person. The moment someone clicks the link that takes them from entertainment to porn is an internal choice. The difference between being upset and getting into a fight is an internal choice. To forgive or to seek revenge are internal choices. To succumb to racism or to treat each person with the God given dignity are internal choices. Selfishness and selflessness are internal choices. War and peace are internal choices. Good and evil are internal choices. These choices are not made by the “serpent” or the “enemy”. The choices are made in the human heart.
The most unhelpful answer we can give to the question about good and evil is to blame the Devil. The choice between good and evil is an existential reality. But to find the answer we must look not outside, but inside. Growth begins when we stop blaming the Devil and take responsibility for the choices we make
The Wisdom
There is one more question to answer. Since God is all powerful, why does God not destroy all the evil? In the parable, why does the Master not allow the workers to pull the weeds out?
Scripture scholars tell us that the weeds in the parable were called “tares” in biblical times, or what we call “darnel” these days. It is also called “false wheat” because it is hard to differentiate between them as they sprout and grow. But as they grow, the darnel roots wrap themselves around the roots of the wheat. It is almost impossible to root out darnel without also pulling out the wheat. Hence, the Master’s reply, “If you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them” (Mt 13:29).
Similarly, within us lie the potential and the freedom for both good and evil. If only overcoming addictions, attachments, bad habits, bad thoughts was as easy as it sounds. To make it more difficult, everything within us is as intricately connected as darnel and wheat. Are we then helpless in the face of evil? Here is where wisdom from today’s scripture can help us.
First, as we encounter good and evil within us, we trust is a God who is all good. As today’s first reading says, God has the care of all – the good and the bad. God is good, mighty, and all powerful but God also judges with clemency. But the most important thing we hear is, “You gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.” In other words, in the face of evil God remains all good, patient, kind, and compassionate. God’s might and perfection do not make God intolerant and heartless, rather, God continues to care for all. Even as we encounter evil in our lives and in the world, we must continue to trust God’s goodness and benevolence.
Second, be kind to yourself and others. It is true that instead of blaming the Devil we need to take responsibility for the evil within us, but we must do this without being self-destructive. If God cares for us, we too must care for us. If God is patient with us, we too must be patient with ourselves. If God forgives us, we too must be forgiving of ourselves.
Third, the parable teaches us that as we encounter evil within ourselves and in the world, we can be like God – that we never stop sowing seeds of goodness. The best antidote against evil is to never stop doing good. If there is hate in your heart, sow more love. If there is selfishness in your life, do selfless acts. If there are bad thought in your mind, think more good thoughts. If there is unforgiveness in your heart, pray for more love. Similarly, when you encounter evil in the world do more good. When you encounter racism, sow seeds of acceptance. When you encounter injustice sow seeds of justice. When you encounter violence, talk peace. Someday, good will totally overcome evil.
Each one of us is a seed that God has planted in the world so that God’s kingdom can grow. Let us be God’s goodness in the world and make good prevail.
Fr. Satish Joseph