Sunday, November 12 : Saint John Chrysostom

It is always the devil’s way to mix the truth with errors draped in the outward appearance and hues of truth, in such a way as more easily to lead astray those who permit themselves to be deceived. That is why our Lord only speaks of weeds, since these are plants that look like wheat. He then describes how the enemy goes about deceiving “while people are sleeping”. From this we see the serious danger run by leaders in the Church, especially those to whom has been entrusted the care of the field. Moreover, this danger does not only threaten leaders but their subordinates too. And this also shows us how error follows truth; false prophets follow the true… Christ tells us this to teach us not to fall asleep…, from which there arises the need of vigilant watching. Which is why he said elsewhere: “Whoever stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mt 10,22)… Now consider the servants’ zeal: they want to pull out the weeds at once. Even if they fail to think it through this does at least prove their care for the good seed. They are only concerned about one thing: not to avenge themselves on the one who had sown the weeds but to save the harvest… What does the Lord say? “Not yet” A splendid response that forbids wars, violence, bloodshed for the sake of the Church. Yes, the life of heretics must be spared, otherwise endless wars and divisions flare up everywhere. “Wait for the right time… Be patient. For perhaps they will leave the darkness of their error and instead of weeds they will become pure wheat… So if you pull them up now you will damage the future harvest by pulling up the ones that may change to something better.”

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team