Whoever has ears ought to hear

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic

“Ephphatha, be opened”

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15; Psalm 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28; Matthew 13:1-9

Summary

The providential care of the Lord is comprehensive. In our sacred readings today, we begin with the provisions given in the desert, meat and bread. Yet we end with the teaching of Jesus about sowing (provisioning) the word of God. The meat and bread are taken in, eaten and the benefit is realized. Then too the word of God must be taken in for the benefit realized.

This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat (Ex 16:15). God rained manna upon them for food; grain from heaven he gave them (PS 78:24). One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’ (DT 8:3 / MT 4:4).

The Quail and the Manna

In our first reading today, we have Moses the Sower. Moses was the Great Intercessor. He relayed the complaints of the people to the Lord and provided the response of the Lord to the people. Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole Israelite community: Approach the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.” The LORD said to Moses: I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will have your fill of bread, and then you will know that I, the LORD, am your God.(Ex 16:9, 11-12).

The Parable of the Sower

In our gospel reading today, we have Jesus the Sower. Jesus, the Greatest Intercessor. He knows the complaint of the people and provides the response of the Lord to the people. The complaint? The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy explained by way of the parable discourse of the Gospel of Matthew: Sower, Wheat, Mustard Seed, Yeast, and Treasure & Pearls. The Lord continues to speak and provision, the Eucharistic Bread is not in scope in today’s readings but not distant from our hearts. In each case of each parable there is the Lord’s action and our reactions.

Listening

But are we listening? We are like those who engorged upon the quail (until they got sick) and distained the hoarfrost after initially being happy.

We must remember:

  1. The Lord sows, scatters, his good news everywhere to everyone.
  2. We become wheat and we will grow, don’t fuss over the weeds, rather help them become wheat.
  3. The Lord provides in small amounts (mustard seed) but rich in benefit.
  4. The Lord’s gifts must be given a chance to grow (yeast).
  5. The Lord’s gifts are more than treasure or pearls.

Whoever has ears ought to hear (MT 13:9).

Our Responses
  • Do you have ears?
  • Can you hear him?

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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