One of the most difficult questions people ask is: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world? We see wars, violence, injustice, sickness, broken families, and personal struggles. At times we wonder, "Why doesn't God simply remove all evil?"
In this Sunday's Gospel (Matthew 13:24-43), Jesus responds with the parable of the wheat and the weeds. A farmer sows good seed in his field, but during the night an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. When the servants notice the weeds, they immediately want to pull them out. The farmer, however, tells them to wait until the harvest, lest they uproot the wheat as well.
Jesus reminds us that God created the world good. Evil is not God's work but the result of sin and the misuse of human freedom. Yet God's response to evil is not immediate destruction but patient mercy. He desires not the death of the sinner but conversion and new life (cf. Ezekiel 33:11). As the Book of Wisdom tells us, God's power is revealed through justice tempered with mercy and compassion.
This parable also invites us to look within ourselves. The battle between good and evil is not only "out there" in the world; it also takes place in every human heart. God patiently works within us, encouraging us to grow in holiness rather than condemning us for our weaknesses. His grace continually invites us to conversion.
Jesus then compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed and to yeast. Both are small and almost unnoticed, yet both produce extraordinary results. Likewise, God's Kingdom often grows quietly through simple acts of faith, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and prayer. Never underestimate the power of a loving word, a sincere prayer, or a hidden act of charity. These small actions become seeds that transform families, parishes, and communities.
St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and even prays within us when we do not know how to pray. We are never alone. God continues to guide and strengthen us, even in our struggles.
As we face the challenges of daily life, let us resist discouragement. Instead, let us trust in God's patient love, cooperate with His grace, and become faithful witnesses of His Kingdom. In God's time, goodness will triumph, and the harvest will reveal the fruits of His mercy.
I wish you all a blessed week!
