God can cope with continuing existence of evil in the world

Wisdom 12:13.16-19, Rom. 8:26-27, Mt. 13:24-43. On this Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on God’s leniency and mildness in judgement. The first reading, from the Book of Wisdom, 12:13.16-19, projects a rather distant, monarchical image of God. Wisdom extolled God for being a just judge: “You never judge unjustly, your justice has its source in strength.” This is the nature of our God. In His mercy, He pardons us and gives us new opportunities. Hence, Wisdom says: “…and you have given your sons the just hope that after sin you grant repentance.” Since God in His justice shows us mercy, we too, must do the same to others. Just as the Lord is kind in judgment to us, “…the virtuous man must be kind to his fellow men!”

The brief extract from today's second reading (8:26-27) provides comfort and encouragement for those experiencing difficulties in prayer. In the second reading, Paul highlights one very important ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He comes to help us in all our weakness. Surely, we are weak in many ways, especially, in prayer. Hence, “we do not know how to pray.” This is where the Holy Spirit comes to help us. He strengthens us in prayer and advocates for us before God. He alone can succeed where we fail, by presenting our needs in a way that God perfectly understand. Today's parable of the Wheat and the Weeds addresses the nature of the Kingdom of God. If, as Jesus maintains (Matt 4:17; 12:28), the Kingdom has already dawned, why such continuing prevalence of evil? Why has God not already intervened to root out evil and establish God’s rule once and for all? To this the parable responds that the onset of the Kingdom is not taking place on neutral ground. A powerful opposition is at work, holding human hearts against it. Hence the slowness of its growth. Our history of intolerance – the Inquisition, shows the tragedy and folly of being more zealous to root out evil than to encourage good. Jesus suggest that God can cope for quite a time with the continuing existence of evil in order to preserve or promote a wider good. 

May the Lord bless us and all of our efforts and guide us to the right path! Amen!! Stay safe and save life, Jesus loves you, happy Sunday!!!