Reflect today on any situation in which you find yourself face to face with evil

“Eventually, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They'll respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other: 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and acquire his legacy. They took him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him “. Matthew 21: 37-39

This passage from the parable of the tenants is shocking. If it had happened in real life, the father who sent his son to the vineyard to harvest the produce would have been shocked beyond belief that the evil tenants killed his son as well. Of course, if he had known this would happen, he would never have sent his son into this evil situation.

This passage, in part, reveals the difference between rational thinking and irrational thinking. The father sent his son because he thought the tenants would be rational. He assumed he would be offered basic respect, but instead he came face to face with evil.

Being faced with extreme irrationality, which is rooted in evil, can be shocking, desperate, frightening and confusing. But it is important that we do not fall into any of these. Instead, we must strive to be cautious enough to discern evil when we encounter it. If the father of this story had been more aware of the evil he was dealing with, he would not have sent his son.

So it is with us. Sometimes, we need to be ready to name evil for what it is rather than trying to deal with it rationally. Evil is not rational. It cannot be reasoned or negotiated with. It simply has to be countered and countered very strongly. That is why Jesus concludes this parable by saying: "What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They replied, "He will put those wretched men to a miserable death" (Matthew 21: 40-41).

Reflect today on any situation in which you find yourself face to face with evil. Learn from this parable that there are many times in life when rationality wins. But there are times when God's mighty wrath is the only answer. When evil is "pure", it must be confronted directly with the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Try to discern between the two and don't be afraid to name evil for what it is when it is present.

Lord, give me wisdom and discernment. Help me seek rational resolutions with those who are open. Also give me the courage I need to be strong and vigorous with your grace when it is your will. I give you my life, dear Lord, use me as you want. Jesus I believe in you.