Friends,
in our Gospel today Jesus explains the parable of the weeds among the
wheat. God’s word creates the Church, the community of those who strive
to build up the Kingdom. But this Church is never absolutely pure and
untrammeled, for God’s ways are opposed by a spiritual power, an enemy.
His task is to sow weeds among the wheat—clandestinely, quietly,
unobtrusively.
This
sort of coming-together of good and evil is to be expected. The Church
will
always be a place of saints and sinners, and the sinners will often look
like saints. The enemy of the Church, who never rests, ensures it.
When
we discover evil, it is always very tempting to go after it with both
fists, to take it out. But the warning of the Master here is extremely
important. Sometimes, our zeal can lead to far greater problems,
precisely because of the way evil is related to the good.
So
what should we do? Let them grow side-by-side for the time being. At
the end, at harvest time, the Master will separate them out.
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
Lectionary: 402
Let my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.
Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name's sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.
R. (9)
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
R.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
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