For centuries people of faith have had to confront the reality of evil.
The question is often asked, if we have a loving God, why is there evil in the world? Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? These questions assume even greater significance as the world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers the following parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.
And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:24-30)
In a later passage, Jesus explains this parable by stating the field represents the world, and he is the one who sows the seed. This seed represents all the good people and the weeds represent all of those who are evil. The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil. The harvest represents the end of time.
Jesus states, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:41-43)
We are reminded that even though it may appear evil is winning at times, this will not be the case in eternal life. The key is to remain faithful despite our sufferings so that we will ‘shine like the sun’ in God’s eternal kingdom.
We cannot prepare ourselves for this day by simply looking to the future. We must also consider the present moment. We have to make an effort to see things in a new way.
The summer months provide us with the bounty of what was planted in the spring. Farmland and home gardens are bearing fruit and we are all the beneficiaries. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a real treat at this time of the year. With all the produce, nobody will focus on the weeds that are also so plentiful. The same applies to life.
There is far more good in this world than evil. This simple fact should help us overcome despair and discouragement. With a humble heart, we need to ask God for help.
The question is often asked, if we have a loving God, why is there evil in the world? Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? These questions assume even greater significance as the world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers the following parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.
And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:24-30)
In a later passage, Jesus explains this parable by stating the field represents the world, and he is the one who sows the seed. This seed represents all the good people and the weeds represent all of those who are evil. The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil. The harvest represents the end of time.
Jesus states, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:41-43)
We are reminded that even though it may appear evil is winning at times, this will not be the case in eternal life. The key is to remain faithful despite our sufferings so that we will ‘shine like the sun’ in God’s eternal kingdom.
We cannot prepare ourselves for this day by simply looking to the future. We must also consider the present moment. We have to make an effort to see things in a new way.
The summer months provide us with the bounty of what was planted in the spring. Farmland and home gardens are bearing fruit and we are all the beneficiaries. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a real treat at this time of the year. With all the produce, nobody will focus on the weeds that are also so plentiful. The same applies to life.
There is far more good in this world than evil. This simple fact should help us overcome despair and discouragement. With a humble heart, we need to ask God for help.
Many words do not make a prayer more meaningful. Fewer words with more faith can be most effective. To simply ask God to help you see what is good, true and beautiful in this world can be very powerful. God will help us see the many positive things in our lives.
During this pandemic we have seen bad things happening; however, we have also seen acts of great courage, self-sacrifice and generosity.
So don’t worry when bad things happen to good people. God is still with us.
Source: The Standard, August 28, 2020