This week’s Gospel finds Jesus talking in parables to the crowds that had begun to follow him. Jesus had obviously struck a chord with ordinary people seeking to understand the mystery of God. They listened intently as he used familiar imagery to explain the nature of God’s relationship with humanity.
Sadly, it seems that Jesus knew that most of the people in the crowd were not capable of understanding the mystery of God. “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes and listen with their ears” (Mt: 12:15) Speaking in parables was Jesus’ way of challenging thoughts, provoking questions, and opening the ears of the hearts of the people.
Jesus explained to the disciples that their own ability to hear and understand was a gift given to them from God. “To you it has been given to know the secrets (mysteries) of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given…but blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” (Mt 13:11,16)
Ordinary Time is the season for growth. How can these ancient words challenge and help us to grow today? I am drawn to the explanation of the seeds among thorns, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.” Mt 13:22 How often do we walk away from the celebration of Eucharist, time in meditation, a retreat, or prayer group challenged and inspired by the Word of God, with a determination to “bring about the kingdom of heaven” only to walk straight back into the everyday challenges of life, falling into familiar, unhealthy ways of being and interacting with others?
I am grateful for the gift of faith freely given to me. The challenge is not in hearing and understanding God’s word, but in allowing it to help me grow, so that I might bear and yield fruit in abundance.