Sunday Vigil

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Whoever lives and believes in me
will never die.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 13,24-30

He put another parable before them, 'The kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, then the darnel appeared as well. The owner's labourers went to him and said, "Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?" He said to them, "Some enemy has done this." And the labourers said, "Do you want us to go and weed it out?" But he said, "No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn." '

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

If you believe, you will see the glory of God,
thus says the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The householder of the parable behaves in a singular way. He is aware that an enemy has sown weeds where he had sown good seed. However, when the servants realize the problem, he prevents them from pulling up the weeds. Why does the householder ignore the zeal of his servants who want to protect his work? This question introduces us to the mystery of the love of God that us greater than our thinking. We might say that the story of Christian tolerance starts from this parable. It burns the weed - really wicked - of Manichaeism, a religion that made divisions between good and bad people, between righteous and unfair people. This parable invites us to an endless tolerance, as well to respect for the enemy, even if he is the enemy of the noblest and holiest cause, such as the cause of God, justice, nation or freedom. There is still the mystery of the enemy that sowed the weed amidst the wheat, while everyone was asleep. The weed is division, a useless plant that smothers wheat, the good plant. It is the mystery of evil to which we cannot answer with evil, but with the power of hope and defending the wheat. This mystery challenges us to be more vigilant, attentive; not to fall asleep while weeds are still sowed. The choice of the householder, so different from our way of thinking and behaviour, establishes a culture of peace. This Gospel word urges us to meet and dialogue in a time of tragic conflicts. This attitude is not a sign of weakness or concession; it is not about tolerating evil but rather not killing sinners. The Lord gives each human being the possibility to explore his heart deeply, find there the mark of God, of His justice, and change his or her life.