Reflect today on the reality of evil in your world

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowd, saying: “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a man who has sown good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds across the wheat, and then left. When the crop grew and bore fruit, weeds also appeared. "Matthew 13: 24-26

The introduction to this parable should wake us up to the reality of the wicked among us. The specific action of the "enemy" in this parable is disturbing. Imagine if this story was true and you were the farmer who worked very hard to sow the seed in all your field. So if you woke up to hear the news that the weeds had also been sown, you would be rather saddened, angry and disappointed.

But this parable concerns above all the Son of God. Jesus is the one who sowed the good seed of His Word and watered that seed with His Precious Blood. But even the devil, the devil, has been at work trying to undermine our Lord's work.

Again, if this were a true story about you as a farmer, it would be difficult to refrain from much anger and a desire for revenge. But the truth is that Jesus, as Divine Sower, does not allow the wicked one to steal his peace. Instead, it has allowed this evil action to remain for now. But in the end, the works of evil will be destroyed and burned in the unquenchable fire.

What is also interesting to note is that Jesus does not eradicate all evil in our world here and now. According to the parable, he abstains so that the good fruits of the Kingdom are not adversely affected. In other words, this parable reveals to us the interesting truth that the "weeds" that surround us, that is, the living evil in our world, cannot influence our growth by virtue and entry into the Kingdom of God. We may have to endure the hurt every day and find ourselves surrounded by it sometimes, but our Lord's willingness to allow evil for now is a clear sign that he knows it cannot affect our growth by virtue if we don't leave it.

Reflect today on the reality of evil in your world. It is essential that you call evil activity for what it is. But evil cannot ultimately influence you. And the evil one, despite his malicious attacks, will eventually be defeated. Reflect on the hope that this truth will bring and renew your trust in the power of God today.

Lord, I pray that you will free us all from the wicked. May we be freed from his lies and traps and always keep our eyes on you, our Divine Shepherd. I turn to you in everything, dear Lord. Jesus I believe in you.