The pathway of life can be quite narrow and rocky in places. Symmetrically speaking, one side of the path could be considered as good, the other side as evil. While they oppose each other in substance, they are both necessary in the overall formation in our existence.
It is important to note that each aspect cannot survive without the other if we are to have a balanced life. Good is in conflict with evil and vice versa. God defines what is good and what is evil. Romans 12:21 clearly states that we should not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Whatever happens in one's life that is beneficial is considered good, whereas the opposite applies when this is not the case. Equally, happiness and misery are two opposing factors but are again, both necessary in life. If life itself provided nothing but happiness it would tend to be taken for granted and have no real effect or value. It is rather like a child who is granted everything that they want without any effort on their part. They ask and they receive. They eventually become complacent and do not appreciate what they are given. This creates problems in later life when they realise that life is not that easy and they are unable to have everything that they want. If they are denied certain things in childhood, they tend to more readily accept the same in adulthood but without the same pain level. It is a fact of life that out of evil can come good. Today, in our Gospel reading we read about the farmer who sowed good seeds in his land to produce a fine crop of wheat, but then an evildoer subsequently sowed damaging seeds of weeds in an attempt to damage the crop. Weeds can indeed stifle the growth of a good crop but they can also protect it to a certain extent from the searing heat of the sun by providing shade. In reality, too much sun can do more harm than good. The weeds although maliciously planted were allowed to continue to grow to protect the crop but with the ultimate aim of discarding them to the place where they belonged after the harvest had been reaped. Everything in life can have good and bad effects. Tremendous downfalls of rain can damage the countryside and flood villages with devastating effects yet, in moderation it can also help. It can provide moisture for the ground which is required to enhance the growth of plants and crops which ultimately add to the beauty and necessary food production for our world.
There is a true story about James, who had always been a good-natured and placid boy and was keen to do well at school. When he was 12 years old, his parents moved to a new town after his father had been promoted to the position of manager in his job. A new school was selected for him to attend in a nearby location. On his first day, James noticed that there appeared to be three unruly boys in his class who disrupted the lessons without any consideration for the others in attendance who wished to learn. James was unhappy with their behaviour and decided to appeal to their better nature to cease their inconsiderate actions.
He approached them in the school playground during the break to ask them if they would be kind enough to moderate their behaviour so that he and others could attain the best benefit from attending school. The boys, who were self-made bullies, took an instant dislike to James and were affronted by his nerve to question their actions on his first day at school.
They began to taunt James regularly and every time that James answered questions or gave an opinion in class, he realised that he was getting snide remarks and giggles from his efforts to contribute in the lesson. This continued for some time until one day when James was on his own in the playground the boys approached and informed him that after school had finished that day they were collectively going to beat him up.
James was very anxious and unsettled at these threats for the rest of the day and as he left the school building that evening he found that the three boys were waiting for him. They approached him and started to push and shove him around, they slapped his face as they shouted at him in preparation for the beating which was to take place imminently.
James decided that he was unable to defend himself when the boys attacked him and did not know what to do for the best. He was not a born fighter but equally did not wish to be hurt or injured and so he took the courageous step to self protect by punching the lead instigator on the nose with his left arm and striking his left eye with the right. The boy looked shocked and immediately turned to tears, running away, swiftly followed by his two accomplices and James made his way home to his parents. The following day when James arrived at school the lead tormentor approached him to shake him by the hand and inform him that he never expected James to defend himself in that way. It had been quite a shock for him to experience a defensive response, especially receiving a black eye and he offered to bury the hatchet and become friends with him. James readily agreed as he preferred peace to war situations and from then on began to settle in and enjoy his new school with his newly acquired friends.
Life has a thin dividing line between good and evil. Everyone can have evil within them which needs to be suppressed through Christ's work of sanctification within us for the general good of all. In Matthew 10:8 Jesus proclaims to His disciples that they should drive out demons. If we do not adhere to that philosophy then severe problems can occur. It is a stark fact that however righteous we are in our ethics, the devil lurks beneath our inner surface, forever waiting to sow the seed of evil in our hearts and minds, when he considers the time is right. Revenge or jealousy may often instigate the initial thoughts of immorality towards others, in addition to many other things. Once started, however, evil intentions are difficult to stop or control. Things may well get out of hand. Evil thoughts could be considered by some to be normal human nature but they are not God's will, they are the devil's. We need to turn away and state the words: "Get thee behind me Satan." Shrug the satanic thoughts from our minds and turn to the goodness of God. If we have been hurt or offended then we should "turn the other cheek" in an attempt to live in harmony and peace with our fellow human beings and create a world full, not of hatred and revenge, but of love and kindness.
Amen.
