The parable of the weeds of the field (Matthew 13:24-30) offers little for us to meditate because later at the request of the disciples, Jesus explained the meanings of the symbols (13:36-43).
This parable is eschatological. It talks about the end of the world, about the “kingdom”. In short, this parable describes the eschatological dimension of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus brought about its existence during his earthly ministry. The disciples continue to build up this kingdom on earth. This kingdom will be fully realized at the end of the world, thus eschatological.
Is this parable ethical, about ethics? Not quite, It describes the destinies of the good and the evil, of the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the evil one. However, the element of choice is implicit and the parable sounds very much like a political propaganda because of the we-they dichotomy. We are the good guys, the righteous ones who will shine like the sun in the kingdom (13:43). They are the bad guys, the sons of the evil one who will be thrown into the furnace of fire (13:42). Such an interpretation is understandable, keeping in mind the situation Jewish Christians found themselves in the first century. Now that the rivals have changed roles, the persecutors have become the persecuted. Therefore, the parable deserves a newer understanding in the modern, pluralistic context. We no longer claim exclusive privileges over and above non-Catholics. Post-Vatican II theology accepts the salvation of non-Catholics. We have less enemies and rivals than the previous generations and ages. We join hands with people-of-good-will to help the poor and the needy. Nowadays, where are the rivals and enemies of the Church?
Moreover, the parable sounds very fatalistic. The good will continue to be good until the end while the evildoers will continue to do evil until the reapers round them up and throw them into furnace of fire at the end of the world. Though the wheat and the weeds are closely intertwined, there does not seem to be any mutual influence. The good does not turn the bad into good and vice versa. Therefore, have we read too much into the parable when we say that God is patient in giving a lot of opportunities for the evil ones to repent? The most essential ethical element: free choice is missing in the story. Perhaps I have been too harsh towards first century authors in demanding them to meet our 21st century standard.
As for me, I am most impressed by the way the servants made their request to the master. Firstly, we do not understand why evil exists on earth. If God is almighty, He should be able to keep His creation free from evil. He doesn’t. If God is merciful, He should not have allowed bad things to happen to good people. But He did. Truly, we do not understand God’s way of doing things.
If God does not want to make His hands dirty to eradicate evils, we are all too eager to do His job. We want our will to be done. We want to take law into our own hands. Vigilante is acceptable for us …
To repeat, I am truly impressed by the wordings of the servants, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” (13:28)
Truly, we want to punish the evildoers, we want to save our young. We want to build up a healthy society etc. These are our wishes but are they God’s will as well? Does God want us to go out to clean up the mess? All too often, we want to get things done. We want to feel good. Is this God’s will? This is the most crucial thing we need to clarify before we act.
Dear Lord, may all we do are done according to the will of our Father in heaven. Amen.
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