The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds

Last week we heard the Parable of the Sower and this week it is followed by another agricultural parable.  This week’s parable concerns a man who sows good seed in his field but an enemy (obviously the devil by implication) comes and sows weeds among the wheat.

When the man’s servants discover this, they question their master, asking of the field, “How then does it have weeds?”  This raises a theological question that many have asked across the centuries: why is there pain, or suffering or evil?”  The question, sadly, leads some to fall away from faith because they wrongly thing that God cannot be all-loving or all-powerful if such things happen in our world.

The parables are often perplexing and meant to make us ponder and question their meaning but also their application in our own lives.  And so we might ask, what on earth has this parable to do with our lives?  Only you can answer that question for yourself, but I suggest a few things that might help.

Firstly, as Catholics, we believe that one of the greatest gifts that God has given us is free will.  He doesn’t force anything upon us.  God only wills the best for us.  He only wishes grace and blessing.  But we do also speak of “God’s permissive will.”  In other words, God does not wish or cause any evil, but he has configured the world in a way in which evil can occur.

I suggest also that today’s parable is also very optimistic and hopeful in that it speaks of a God who tolerates evil in the world for a long time, giving people every opportunity to turn from their sins.  This week’s homily is going to feature a true story of a fight between altar servers that illustrates this truth beautifully.  I will keep you guessing!  

God bless, Fr Kevin.