Is man responsibile for Evil?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season  : 5th Week: Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mk 7:14-23*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 10:1-10*

*Is man responsibile for Evil?*

*1) Evil enters the World through the Human Being*

In the book of Genesis we have a creation story 

God created variety of things. Nature was so beautiful 

Until the 5th God created numerous things. But none of them had any problem. Everything was very peaceful and Serene

God created the Human beings on the 6th Day, with His own image and likeness 

In the presence of such a man the evil enters into the world, and human being loses its original holiness  

*2) List of Evil things - Found only in human beings*

The Gospel of the day presents to us a list of Evil things. They are the following

*Unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.*

The above things are not found in any of the animals which are created by God 

They are neither found in the Nature. Nature is so pure

All these evil things are found in the Human heart, and from there they operate through the human beings 

So Human beings become the face of Evil things in the world 

*3) Human beings is not Evil by nature*

Since God created Human beings into His own image and likeness, there is a basic goodness which is really found in all human beings 

The warning of Jesus in today's Gospel is to become aware of this basic goodness and to become good persons 

Realising the basic goodness, which is within us, will help us to bring out this basic goodness and to live a good life 

*4) Prison, Case, Court, punishment, Reward - Only for human beings*

There is no court for animals 

There is not judge for animals 

There are no case against the animals 

There is no prison for animals to punish them 

There is no lawyer for animals to fight their case 

All these above things simply tell us that, bad and evil things have no connection to the nature and the animals 

*5) Human Heart is the centre of evil things*

The Gospel of the day makes it very clear, that all evil things proceed from the human heart 

*“The heart is deceitful above all things, And  wicked; Who can know it?* Jeremiah 17:9

This shows the real nature of the human Heart 

*6) Which dominates in me - Good or Evil*

Both good and evil is present in human beings. 

It is ultimately, human beings decide, to do good or bad 

The choice is always for human beings. Good or evil depends on the choice of the Human beings 

If so, what dominates in me, it decides my life 

Human beings are the only creature who can control the evil and turn evil into good. But one should have the willpower to do good and avoid evil 

What is my choice? 

What is that which comes out of my heart?  

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*