HOMILY FOR JULY 19 2020 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A*
Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19; Psalm 86: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8: 26-27; Matthew 13: 24-4
WHY EVIL EXIST IN THE WORLD
Today’s first reading describes some of God’s attributes: being just in the treatment of both the good and the bad among us. God will eventually deal harshly with sinners, while being lenient with those who seek God’s forgiveness. The Book of Wisdom addresses the question of evil co-existing with Good, though God never condones evil. This is seen from the description of God as manifesting the divine might in dealing with the wayward, those who have chosen to go against God. The greatest part of this passage, however, deals with the leniency, clemency, kindness, and mercy which God is willing to extend to those who have sinned and seek to get back on the path toward God. More so, God is described as having care for all. God wants to give everyone a chance to realize the folly of their sinful ways and turn back to their loving God.
The Responsorial psalm today talks about the compassionate and forgiving ways of God. Psalm 86:5 captures it all thus: “Lord, You are good and forgiving.” God’s dealing with the repentant sinners is again described in words which speak of a very understanding God: Good, forgiving, abounding in kindness, hearing the cries of those who call, great doer of wondrous deeds, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in fidelity, full of piety. God desires that all nations and all persons turn toward this loving Lord of all and give worship and glory to him, for his patient care to all who have chosen the wrong path, yet desire to get back on the right path.
In the Second reading, St. Paul speaks of our weakness and the need of the intercession of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul reminds us that we are weak. We fail to fully respond to the Goodness of God. We, in our sinful nature, can never fully express how great God is. It is only through the intercession of, and with the help of, the Holy Spirit that we can lift up our minds and hearts to this awesome God. The Spirit can empower us to communicate with God in a way that our limited humanity could never achieve alone. The Spirit knows what will draw us into that closer relationship with God. If we let the Holy Spirit intercede for us, God’s holy ones, we will be able to more fully follow the will of God. In the Gospel of today, the first parable expresses the small beginnings of Kingdom of God (the spread of the faith, the church). While the seeds of wheat begin to grow, the enemy (the evil one) spreads seeds of weed (people of falsehoods, lies, and evil). You see why the Church is made up of Saints and Sinners. If you go to Church and everyone is a Saint, run away from there, it is something else. Evil is co-existing with Good. It is only in heaven, before God’s throne that evil cannot co-exist with good. Yet, to pull out the evil growth might uproot the Good growth. Yes, there is the possibility that the evil might overpower the good, at least for a time. Yet, there is also the possibility that the good may have a positive effect on the evil (at least as far as the moral growth of humans). God wants to give another chance to those who started out as bad seed. There will come the ultimate time (death and judgment) when growth is complete, then the harvesters will have to separate the bad from the good. Dear people of God, this conflict between Good and evil, light and darkness, is a theme which plays itself out over and over in human history and literature, and in the Word of God. We are faced with good and evil every day of our lives, if not presently in our own personal life, then in the world at large. In our human existence, we ask ourselves, why would a loving God allow evil? This is the question we ask when we hear of people being kidnapped, of children being raped, of armed robbers killing people, of Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen destroying people and their property, when we hear of Father committing fornication with his own daughter(s), when we hear that a boy impregnated his siblings and so on. How could a compassionate God permit such things to happen?
The truth is that, although God permits evil, God never causes evil. Even those things (such as earthquakes, floods, droughts) which are called “acts of God” are not because God never wishes death and destruction. Yes, they are part of the creation which God has produced, but God desires the full growth and positive relations with all people. God can make good come out of even those terrible events. Our God, who today’s readings have described as good, loving, merciful, kind, gracious, is all virtuous and more. Yet, God wants us to freely choose to have a relationship with the divine in the midst of the tragedies and evil which happen. A lot of the evil which exists in the world are the result of humans choosing a path which is away from God. People choose to place selfish pleasures or money or fame above a relationship with God and others. As we travel along the road of life we are faced with choices – which paths we will take. We often choose the easy, selfish paths, and with that comes negative consequences, especially in the lives of others. Our journey is a growth process. We face tragedies and difficulties and we hopefully mature as we see the results of ours and others’ good choices. At times we may be tempted to forget the whole journey, or take the easy way, especially as we see the dangers that the tougher trail has in store for us. We need to call upon the intercession and guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us on the path to God. We will encounter evil, rough times. The richness of our loving God’s mercy and kindness will be with us. God will be slow to anger and bountiful in forgiveness, especially to those who desire to now choose the correct path. God wants us to grow into the fullness of who we can be, both as individuals and as members of a faith community.
Do good and avoid evil. Promote good and dissociate yourself from evil activities.
*MEDITATION* What thoughts cross my mind when I experience evil in the world around me? Do I question God for allowing such evil? How often do I call upon the Holy Spirit to help me do and say what God wants me to do and say? Do I sense the presence of Holy Spirit with me in the midst of the evil which surrounds me? How can I be good seed or leaven in the world to help the fullness of growth which God intends?
*PRAYER* Thank you Lord God for today. You allow us to experience evil, and You promise to be with us to strengthen us and give us growth. As we continue on the journey which Your Son has already taken before us, You give us the Holy Spirit as our guide and intercessor. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our ways unto righteousness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19; Psalm 86: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8: 26-27; Matthew 13: 24-4
WHY EVIL EXIST IN THE WORLD
Today’s first reading describes some of God’s attributes: being just in the treatment of both the good and the bad among us. God will eventually deal harshly with sinners, while being lenient with those who seek God’s forgiveness. The Book of Wisdom addresses the question of evil co-existing with Good, though God never condones evil. This is seen from the description of God as manifesting the divine might in dealing with the wayward, those who have chosen to go against God. The greatest part of this passage, however, deals with the leniency, clemency, kindness, and mercy which God is willing to extend to those who have sinned and seek to get back on the path toward God. More so, God is described as having care for all. God wants to give everyone a chance to realize the folly of their sinful ways and turn back to their loving God.
The Responsorial psalm today talks about the compassionate and forgiving ways of God. Psalm 86:5 captures it all thus: “Lord, You are good and forgiving.” God’s dealing with the repentant sinners is again described in words which speak of a very understanding God: Good, forgiving, abounding in kindness, hearing the cries of those who call, great doer of wondrous deeds, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in fidelity, full of piety. God desires that all nations and all persons turn toward this loving Lord of all and give worship and glory to him, for his patient care to all who have chosen the wrong path, yet desire to get back on the right path.
In the Second reading, St. Paul speaks of our weakness and the need of the intercession of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul reminds us that we are weak. We fail to fully respond to the Goodness of God. We, in our sinful nature, can never fully express how great God is. It is only through the intercession of, and with the help of, the Holy Spirit that we can lift up our minds and hearts to this awesome God. The Spirit can empower us to communicate with God in a way that our limited humanity could never achieve alone. The Spirit knows what will draw us into that closer relationship with God. If we let the Holy Spirit intercede for us, God’s holy ones, we will be able to more fully follow the will of God. In the Gospel of today, the first parable expresses the small beginnings of Kingdom of God (the spread of the faith, the church). While the seeds of wheat begin to grow, the enemy (the evil one) spreads seeds of weed (people of falsehoods, lies, and evil). You see why the Church is made up of Saints and Sinners. If you go to Church and everyone is a Saint, run away from there, it is something else. Evil is co-existing with Good. It is only in heaven, before God’s throne that evil cannot co-exist with good. Yet, to pull out the evil growth might uproot the Good growth. Yes, there is the possibility that the evil might overpower the good, at least for a time. Yet, there is also the possibility that the good may have a positive effect on the evil (at least as far as the moral growth of humans). God wants to give another chance to those who started out as bad seed. There will come the ultimate time (death and judgment) when growth is complete, then the harvesters will have to separate the bad from the good. Dear people of God, this conflict between Good and evil, light and darkness, is a theme which plays itself out over and over in human history and literature, and in the Word of God. We are faced with good and evil every day of our lives, if not presently in our own personal life, then in the world at large. In our human existence, we ask ourselves, why would a loving God allow evil? This is the question we ask when we hear of people being kidnapped, of children being raped, of armed robbers killing people, of Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen destroying people and their property, when we hear of Father committing fornication with his own daughter(s), when we hear that a boy impregnated his siblings and so on. How could a compassionate God permit such things to happen?
The truth is that, although God permits evil, God never causes evil. Even those things (such as earthquakes, floods, droughts) which are called “acts of God” are not because God never wishes death and destruction. Yes, they are part of the creation which God has produced, but God desires the full growth and positive relations with all people. God can make good come out of even those terrible events. Our God, who today’s readings have described as good, loving, merciful, kind, gracious, is all virtuous and more. Yet, God wants us to freely choose to have a relationship with the divine in the midst of the tragedies and evil which happen. A lot of the evil which exists in the world are the result of humans choosing a path which is away from God. People choose to place selfish pleasures or money or fame above a relationship with God and others. As we travel along the road of life we are faced with choices – which paths we will take. We often choose the easy, selfish paths, and with that comes negative consequences, especially in the lives of others. Our journey is a growth process. We face tragedies and difficulties and we hopefully mature as we see the results of ours and others’ good choices. At times we may be tempted to forget the whole journey, or take the easy way, especially as we see the dangers that the tougher trail has in store for us. We need to call upon the intercession and guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us on the path to God. We will encounter evil, rough times. The richness of our loving God’s mercy and kindness will be with us. God will be slow to anger and bountiful in forgiveness, especially to those who desire to now choose the correct path. God wants us to grow into the fullness of who we can be, both as individuals and as members of a faith community.
Do good and avoid evil. Promote good and dissociate yourself from evil activities.
*MEDITATION* What thoughts cross my mind when I experience evil in the world around me? Do I question God for allowing such evil? How often do I call upon the Holy Spirit to help me do and say what God wants me to do and say? Do I sense the presence of Holy Spirit with me in the midst of the evil which surrounds me? How can I be good seed or leaven in the world to help the fullness of growth which God intends?
*PRAYER* Thank you Lord God for today. You allow us to experience evil, and You promise to be with us to strengthen us and give us growth. As we continue on the journey which Your Son has already taken before us, You give us the Holy Spirit as our guide and intercessor. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our ways unto righteousness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
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