Jeremiah 14:17-22
Psalm 78(79):8-9,11,13
Matthew 13:36-43
ACT OF HOPE AND PATIENCE
If it is within God’s will, He could easily express His displeasure with humanity’s wrongful actions, and with a single command, the entire universe might cease to exist. One might wonder whether it was necessary for God to sustain humans thus far—beings who often act with wickedness and sin. Given the prevalence of darkness and evil covering the earth, it is remarkable that the world persists as it does, and if God’s nature were different, the duration might be much shorter.
This raises the question: why does God demonstrate such patience toward a world filled with so much evil? The psalmist offers an insightful answer—God is characterized by compassion and love. His goodness, kindness, and merciful love are evident. He is the loving Father who cares deeply for His children. If it were solely up to humans, the world might have already reached its end. God’s patience reflects His infinite love and mercy, and His actions are never misdirected.
Furthermore, it is reasonable to feel aversion toward evil, especially when we consider the harm it has caused us personally. Sin has brought about much suffering, blinding us from perceiving the beauty of the Savior and deafening us to the tender invitations of the Redeemer.
Sin has led our footsteps astray, poisoning our very beings, corrupting our hearts—making them deceitful and desperately wicked. Reflecting on its destructive effects gives us good cause to oppose evil. We owe our preservation to the divine love that intervened to redeem us. Sin remains an active adversary, constantly seeking to harm us and lead us to ruin. Therefore, we are called to allow the word of God to grow in us so as to become fruitful.
Fr Joseph Osho
