THROUGH UNTRUE
In our society, there are people who strive to lead virtuous lives and work diligently to combat injustice, poverty, criminality, and other social evils. However, alongside them are individuals engaging in corrupt practices, bribery, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and other immoral acts. Those of us who suffer the consequences of their malevolent actions may feel tempted to call upon God to annihilate them.
Today’s gospel reading contains a parable about weeds and wheat (Matthew 13:24-30) that provides insight into the persistent question, “Why does God allow wicked individuals to thrive in our world?"
Firstly, the parable urges us to recognize that no one is beyond the possibility of reform or renewal. Just as people can change for the worse, they can also change for the better. The parable reminds us to trust in God's patient work within each of us, even when progress seems slow. Often, we desire immediate results and despise delays, but God's plan unfolds in His time, not ours.
Secondly, there is a saying, “God writes straight with crooked lines,” which implies that God can use even those whom we perceive as hopelessly evil to fulfill His purpose. This does not absolve them of the tragedies they may have caused others, but it allows us to see a broader perspective where even those who vehemently oppose God’s will may unknowingly contribute to its fulfillment. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” An expert gardener would tell you that weeds can be highly useful if managed appropriately.
Thirdly, Jesus teaches us not to demonize others simply because they do not conform to our self-defined standards of goodness. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that a complex blend of good and evil exists within each of us. We can relate to St. Paul’s lament, “I do not understand myself. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do” (Romans 7:15). He accurately describes our human predicament: we find it difficult to be good, not because of what we cannot do, but because of what we cannot stop doing. Recognizing this shared brokenness prevents us from condemning others as absolutely unlovable.
Fourthly, the parable emphasizes that we are all fundamentally good because God created us in His image. I recall a story of a large-scale survey by scientists who planted 17,000 “lost wallets” in 40 countries. The surprising result was that the majority of people who found the wallets returned them, especially those containing a substantial amount of money. The survey concluded that people value honesty and integrity more than short-term monetary gains, dispelling the misconception that human beings are inherently selfish.
People do not become bad because they are “born that way” or “genetically preordained to be evil.” Choosing between good and evil is a personal decision that can be extremely challenging, as both forces fight for dominance over us. They are like two wolves constantly battling each other. One is filled with anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, and false pride. The other exudes joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
Which wolf usually emerges victorious? The one you choose to feed.