How will you understand?

Hmmmm, says the heart

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hebrews 10:11-18; Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4; Mark 4:1-20

Question

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

A related blog post going into the details of the parable: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/01/24/hear-this/

Understanding in the mind

How do we understand things?

The senses are the first level (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). The intellect is the second level (intellect, affect). The third level is the soul-spirit (a sense of things, a silent voice).

Parables are written with a plain/obvious meaning to begin with, akin to the level of senses. We see and imagine the story as written in the physical world we live in. Clearly, that is not enough. We are easily given to understand analogy and metaphor. The parable is more so an allegory bringing a moral and ethical meaning. Finally, there is a thread in the parable for the eschatological meaning but defused enough we won’t discuss that today – maybe in another post.

We look to the prophet Jeremiah to help us understand how to understand Jesus’ parable.

But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days—oracle of the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. They will no longer teach their friends and relatives, “Know the LORD!” Everyone, from least to greatest, shall know me—oracle of the LORD—for I will forgive their iniquity and no longer remember their sin. (Jer 31:33-34).

Understanding in the heart

We can preach all we want about the parable and various ways to encounter it. All very good indeed. But it is the journey from the ear to the heart that makes the most impact. The words of God, written in the heart. Not of the mind alone. With the EXPRESS intent of forgiveness of sins.