By Fr. Glenn Jones:

I was listening to some parents the other day who have kids in a children’s summer camp. The parents were troubled about some “mean girls” picking on other kids and wondering what they could do about it, what to teach their kids how to handle and react to such people, etc. After all, we all know that “mean girls” and “mean boys” aren’t only in children’s camps; unfortunately, we have to deal with such persons all of our lives—those who take advantage of, manipulate, disparage and just use other people, even when the “victims” give them no cause to do so. Such attitudes can perplex us, especially if we’ve treated the other kindly.

I was reminded of this Sunday’s Mass Gospel and Jesus relating the parable of the weeds sown within the wheat, often translated as wheat and tares. As I understand it, in the original language, the weeds in that parable are not just any weed, but are a grain that looks like wheat and is bitter and poisonous. It camouflages itself as something good. But, as any gardener knows, weeds sap life away from the good plants, and may even eventually kill them while producing their own bitter fruits. 

Jesus explains His parable by warning that that evil, deception and error are always lurking for opportunity, as St. Paul warns: “also apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ…Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” And Jesus mentions that “the devil” is he who sows the evil in the world.

Now a lot of Christians—even Catholics—don’t believe in the devil, or “Satan”, even though Jesus frequently affirms this mysterious being’s existence: “…the enemy who sows [the weeds (those who do evil)] is the devil,”…just as He warns in Matthew 25 of “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41). But after countless movie and cartoonish portrayals, we simply dismiss him as a figment of imagination, or just a personification of evil. Dependent upon our senses for perception, we are unable to prove his existence by any known physical observation.

Yet, just because we do not have that capability does not mean he does not exist. We see in the past how things that exist were disbelieved until they could be perceived with greater exploration, scientific tools and inquiry, etc. Did ultra-violet light exist before we developed ways to perceive it. Yes. Did sounds beyond human hearing exist before we were able to discern them? Of course. Do stars exist though the blind cannot see them. Obviously. So, in the case of this being referred to as “Satan”, can he not at least conceivably exist? How can one say absolutely: “No”?

So, it comes down (so far) to who you believe: our own limited senses, or the word of Jesus and other scriptural references of what Christians consider is the Word of God.

Now, referring to the parable, each person begins life as a good plant…a blank slate. And when we are taught the Gospel of Jesus, we are planted in good soil—in fact, the best of soils. But, as we range hither and yon in lives’ journeys, we encounter not only other good plants but also weeds which sap the weaker plants’ strength in sometimes even parasitical ways and influence them toward evil and infidelity.

One of the most destructive teachings of our day is that there IS no absolute truth: “You have your truth, I have my truth.” Imagine trying to teach well-proven principles of physics and engineering and mathematics and someone says: “Well, that’s your truth; I have my truth!” One thing about physical laws and mathematics: they let you know pretty quickly which is correct! 

Likewise, God IS truth; Jesus is truth—the way, the truth and the life. He IS what is real. I AM WHO AM. Therefore, anything diverging from God is NOT truth. “Jesus Christ, who is our eternal life; a union in faith and love, to which nothing must be preferred.” (St. Ignatius, Martyr)

We may not suffer the detrimental effects of going against God’s moral truth as immediately as with physical laws and mathematics, but as we that is because of His patience.  He has neither need nor desire to enforce His absolute justice immediately. As we read in Peter’s second letter: “The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9)

But God IS, and what He teaches is truth.  There is no truth apart from what God has ordained—either in the physical or the spiritual realms.  For all our scientific inquiry is simply discerning a modicum what God has ordained and created, and though we find it endlessly fascinating, we can never more than scratch the surface of it all. Those who seek God seek truth…and those who seek truth seek God, whether they know it or not.

It is commonly said that Satan’s greatest victory is convincing the world that he does not exist. That is perhaps the most nefarious and difficult-to eradicate weed he has sown in humanity. But he is the deceiver who has led much of the world to denial of God, so that Man considers himself as a god. O vanity of vanities.

How to defeat evil? Quite simple; not easy, but simple: learn the truth of God, which IS goodness…and live it. Succinctly put: Do good and avoid evil. If we do that, we live in a state of God’s grace, and Satan cannot touch that most precious of our possessions: our soul.

So: “… be strong in the … Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but … against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, … In all circumstances take up the shield of faith… and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God …” (Ephesians 6:10ff)

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.