Greetings on this the Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b; Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; Matthew 13:10-17
Summary
The mystery of the Parables and the plain speaking of Jesus are combined into one presentation. Meaning we are, New Testament time readers, treated to both the parable and the explanation of the parables at the same time. Yet we go through the same process of the people and disciples. Solving the ‘too problem’ and asking the right questions.
The Privilege of Discipleship
“Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” [true and yet] “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. (MT 13:10, 16-17).
The Need of the People
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see (MT 13:14).
The reality is most people most of the time do not want to hear the voice of God. It’s a ‘TOO’ problem.
- too busy
- too hurt
- too preoccupied
- too frightened
The theological theme of sacred scripture (especially the Old Testament) is to ascribe the resistance to holiness as a divine prerogative – God’s choice – rather than a human weakness or human trait. I find this thinking problematic at first glance. It is a form of writing that describes the permissive will of God as coercive in a manner of speaking and taken with a type of bias.
Yet a more careful reading has none of that. Those who seek the face of God will see him either directly or through the testimony of others. Those who are ‘too (this or that)’ will not see except through a specific way of reaching and teaching them: parables. In Moses’ time, I would have been happy to go with Moses up the mountain and/or stand at the foot of the mountain to hear God’s voice. Which ever I am ready for.
Parables do not hide anything. They encourage critical thinking and meaningful engagement of the divine logic. And in that engagement break through. Parables work for everyone. Even the disciples enter more fully into the divine logic when we read: The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” (MT 13:10). They wanted to know … The ‘why’ of God.
Is it not simply true that when seeking the face of God: But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear (MT 13:16). The difference is the choice we make.
Personal Reflection
I choose Jesus. I choose hearing his voice directly, through you, your life and through scripture. I choose parables. I choose the Liturgy of the Hours. I choose all the ways I can see, hear, taste, know, and be in the presence of the Lord.
We need to solve the Too Problem… too.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072425.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry