Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 / Romans 8:26-27 / Matthew 13:24-43
Generally speaking, there are two things that we don't quite like to do, unless it is really necessary.
One is going to the doctor because we are ill, or for a medical checkup.
The other is to go to the dentist because of a toothache, or for a dental check-up.
We go to the doctor not for just a slight illness but because we couldn't self-medicate anymore.
Even for the regular medical check-up, we would procrastinate in making an appointment.
Because whenever we go for a medical check-up, the doctor will usually find some problems with our health.
It may be high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, or high blood sugar and whatever and we will have to follow up with medication or treatment.
And when we go to the dentist, there will usually be some problems with the teeth. It can be anything from treating a decay to extraction, and there will also be follow-ups.
But whether it is a medical check-up or a dental check-up, the purpose is to address health issues and to prevent health problems.
It does not necessarily mean that any part of the body or organ that has problems must be removed.
Health problems can be treated, so that health and well-being can be maintained and even improved.
In the gospel parable, the good seed was sown in the field by the owner.
Then when everyone was asleep, the enemy came and sowed darnel all among the wheat.
Just some background information, the wheat and the darnel look alike when sprouting. Only when they are maturing will they look different.
Darnel is poisonous, and there is an ancient Roman law that prohibits the sowing of darnel on the wheat field of an enemy.
So, the gospel parable is realistic, and it is also true that once the wheat and the darnel begin sprouting, it will be difficult to weed out the darnel. Only at harvest time then it can be done.
The gospel parable points out the reality of life in that this world has good and evil.
But good and evil can be so closely intertwined that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to separate.
It exists in situations that are very close to us, like in our families, in the work-place and even in church.
So as much as the logical thing to do is to remove the problem, the gospel parable points out the difficulty.
Because we are also connected to these difficult and troublesome people in a relationship that cannot be easily cancelled away.
And it happens in marital relationships, family relationships, working relationships, community relationships, and the situation can be toxic and hostile.
But we are also reminded that there is also an internal struggle within us.
We too have our own wheat and darnel in our hearts.
The gospel parable ends off with the separation of the wheat and the darnel at harvest time.
But the message for us is that we are to get rid of the sin in our lives first.
It is through the help of God that we can do that.
And when we have experienced the grace of conversion and repentance, then we will be able to accept the sinfulness of the people around us.
We will not only just accept, but we will commit ourselves to praying for their conversion, and we will even respond to evil with the goodness of God.
So, we pray for ourselves to be healed of our own sinfulness, and then we can be converted sinners to those who are deep in the toxic of sin.
We can't wait till harvest time; the work must begin now. Because the salvation of toxic sinners depends on the commitment of converted sinners.