The Mystery of Evil

 

Mercy is God’s medicine for evil.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, July 23rd, 2023 Texts: Wisdom 12:13.16-19; Psalm 86:5-6.9-10.15-16; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 

Today’s gospel reading is  about the mystery of evil.It is a mystery because it is something beyond human understanding. No satisfactory answer has ever been provided for the problem of evil. The strongest reason provided for the problem of evil is that it is the consequence of our freedom. Freedom is a gift of God to man. Freedom is the reason for poverty, terrorism, rubbery, genocide, character assassination and other kinds of evil. Why should God give us a gift that has brought us untold pains and suffering. It is still a question begging for answer. Evil, indeed, is a mystery.

Mystery is beyond human understanding but we know it through divine revelation. Jesus Christ, in His parables of today, reveals to us the mystery of evil. It is the mystery that had been hidden from men before Christ. We read, “Indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.’” 

Devil is the originator of evil

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, tells us today that devil is the originator of evil. He says, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.” He explains it thus: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil”. Evil is not in the plan of God. God gives us freedom to choose God. 

While we are weak and having our sleep, the devil takes over. He makes use of our moment of weakness. The saying is, then, true: “Idle mind is devil’s workshop”. Hence, Jesus tasks us to watch and pray, pray without ceasing. We must always be alert spiritually. We must live in the Spirit. In today’s second reading, St. Paul says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” We live in the Spirit when we put to death the passion of the flesh.  

Devil uses evil as a weapon but God has turned it to instrument of redemption

Jesus also tells us why God allow evil: it is for our good. In His words: “The servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.” It is not that God has no power over evil but prefer to leave it for our good. Devil uses evil as a weapon but God has turned it to instrument of redemption. The Book of Job sheds light on this: “God corrects people by sending sickness and filling their bodies with pains” (33:19). God has also come in Jesus Christ to redeem us through His passion. 

However, it may look as if the devil has gotten upper hands in world, Heavenly kingdom is growing gradually. In the words of Jesus: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.” In today’s first reading we read, “For you show your strength when men doubt the completeness of your power, and rebuke any insolence among those who know it.” Evil will give way for goodness to reign at the end of time.

Mercy is God’s medicine for evil 

God always conquers evil by His mercy. We read, You who are sovereign in strength judge with mildness, and with great forbearance you govern us; for you have power to act whenever you choose.” His mercy is also a lesson for us. We read, “Through such works you have taught your people that the righteous man must be kind, and you have filled your sons with good hope, because you give repentance for sins.” Let us be merciful. Mercy is God’s medicine for evil. Let us always draw close to confessional to receive God’s mercy. May He bless His words in our hearts. Amen

Prayer 

Show favour, O Lord, to your servants, and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands. Amen (Collect)