In today’s readings we’re reminded of a problem that has haunted us and philosophers since the Fall of Adam and Eve: the problem of evil in the world. Everyone perceives that the world is not exactly as it should be. Jeremiah in today’s First Reading laments seeing his society wounded, good people suffering as a result of it, and an apparent absence of God. Every believer struggles with this in his or her own life. Our Lord teaches us in today’s Gospel of evildoers and “all who cause others to sin”: a source not only of sorrow, but of temptation. Why be good when being evil seems so alluring and “everyone’s” doing it?
Jeremiah questions whether the Lord is present at all anymore in the face of such misery, but Our Lord gives the response in today’s Gospel, and not just in words. He is present, teaching, leading, and sanctifying, even though many do not realize it because they don’t believe in him. He also teaches us that the Lord is perfectly aware of the wheat and the weeds in the world, and when he doesn’t act it is often to prevent a greater evil by violating the freedom to be good or to be evil of everyone involved. The moment of Judgment will come for the good and the evil, and it will be just. The good will have built on their freedom and become truly free; the evil, weighed down by their vice, will be enslaved by it forever and suffer for their deeds.
While acknowledging the evil in the world, let’s focus on doing good and being good. Evil will not have the last word.
Readings: Jeremiah 14:17–22; Psalm 79:8–9, 11, 13; Matthew 13:36–43. See also 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday.
