When I think about the bad things that happen to good people, it is very easy to wish ill against those responsible. and when there is loss of life involved, how I wish the bad people would just disappear! This, to me, is a typical human response. On the other hand, what is God’s response? It’s a wonder how, with the extent and degree of humanity’s sins throughout history, we are still here. How come God has not wiped us out from the face of the earth yet. Surely, when we talk about the kingdom of God, aren’t we only talking about the reign of good? Why are there still weeds all around?

Today’s gospel teaches us that Jesus (the Son of Man) sows the good seed represent the children of the kingdom. Though man has fallen because of his disobedience to God, Jesus came to the world and on the cross , died for the forgiveness of sins to save us. With this act of salvation, we are no longer slaves but children of God, heirs to the Father’s kingdom. We are restored to the favor of God, yet righteousness (holiness) is expected of us until the end of the age comes.

The evil one is at work in the world. With all the temptations,it is difficult to be consistent at being good. The desire to be and the fortitude to do good come from God. In times when we falter, we are without help. God made available the sacrament of reconciliation for us to confess our sins. To me,it is not a mere cleansing ritual,it is to repair a relationship between a child and a father.

It strikes me how the good seed refers to the children of the kingdom. I do not know the exact word used by Jesus in his language, but He could have used words corresponding to followers, believers,or disciples. How unworthy of us to be called his children yet the Father claims us as his own. You and me are God’s children and that makes us brothers and sisters of each other. That should make us realize how to be patient with those around us,no matter how deviant others maybe to the ideals of righteousness. We should not give up on them as God, who is love, is not giving up on us. His justice awaits us in the end,but in our fallen state,his mercy overflows.

As children of God,our thoughts and actions should unite, create,build rather than divide,destroy, scatter. God loves and draws us to Him not just individually but collectively,as His people. We are disciples to each other-let us carry each other toward goodness and holiness,toward God. When we look at others as our brothers and sisters,we would want their lives to turn out for the better. Just as we want what’s best for our(nuclear)family. The evil one,meanwhile,does not look at us that way. He seeks to destroy our lives and to take us away from God by taking God out of our lives. In the guise of beauty and good,he deceives us. And so we must be deeply rooted in our faith by deepening our relationship with God – through prayer, the Scriptures, and receiving Him in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. More than we realize it,these equip us against the subtle attacks of the devil,along with Mama Mary’s fervent prayers to God in our behalf.

Let us not allow our lives to end in tragedy, that is to lose God forever. To be thrown in the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. I totally agree with Martin Buber when he put forth,”What is the worst thing a person can do to himself?-to forget that He is the Son of a King.”

Let us allow God to reign in our lives.

~ Kring

Source: Neo Jeremiah Voice of the Young Prophet Newsletter July 23, 2017 issue.