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 parable of the weeds has been perhaps among the clearest Gospel words at certain times in history when religious people saw the rights of truth most threatened and felt the need to defend them. It can be said that a long history of religious wars, waged by Christians, has mainly found in this scriptural text an obstacle capable of inducing reflection, rethinking and doubt. The master of the camp, in fact, has an absolutely singular behaviour. He realises that an enemy has sown weeds where he had sown the good seed. We might say that the story of Christian tolerance starts from this parable. It dries the wicked weed - really wicked - of Manichaeism, of distinction between good and bad people, between righteous and unfair people. This parable does not only invite us to an endless tolerance, but even to the respect for the enemy, even when it were an enemy not only personal but of the most righteous and holy cause, of God, of justice, of the nation, of freedom. There is the mystery of this enemy who sows weed amidst the wheat, while everyone was asleep. The weed is division, a useless plant that smothers 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 till the moment it will bear fruit, and that is stronger than division that it still needs to be faced. This mystery also challenges us to be more vigilant, attentive; not to fall asleep so that evil may not continue to sow weeds. The choice of the householder, so different from our way of thinking and behaviour, establishes a culture of peace. Today, while tragic conflicts are multiplying, this Gospel word is an invitation to encounter and dialogue. This attitude is not a sign of weakness or concession. 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.