"The Son of Man will dispatch his angels to collect from his kingdom all who draw others to apostasy, and all evildoers. The angels will hurl them into the fiery furnace where they will wail and grind their teeth. Then the saints will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom." (Mt. 13:41-43)

Many are Catholics when it suits them, and they rationalize away Jesus’ tough messages. Today we will hear none of this kind of teaching that Jesus gave us in today's Gospel reading.

Many reject the notion that, in eternity, we will receive as we have chosen by our life's actions.

Many reject the notion of Justice: That, on Judgment Day, the goodness of the just will be rewarded, and the evil of the bad will be punished.

Many reject the notion of Hell: That "all who draw others to apostasy and all evildoers" will "wail and grind their teeth" for eternity.

Yet almost no one denies the existence of Heaven!

Why do they claim to be Catholics, anyway? Take away hell and what remains is a nice straight line right into heaven, without hassles or sacrifice. How convenient!

There are things we may not like about the Gospel. Yet we have been informed about God’s holy will by Jesus. We are solicited by the goodness of God and the evil of the devil. The decision is ours.

"The farmer sowing the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, the good seed the citizens of the kingdom. The weeds are the followers of the evil one and the enemy who sowed them is the devil." (37-39)

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 45:8 "You love justice and hate wrongdoing; your God, has anointed you."