Exodus 19:1-2,9-11,16-20b/Ps. Dan 3:52-56/Matthew 13:10-17

Parables are stories or similitudes taken from the things of the earth to illustrate spiritual truth. These are instructive wise sayings used by many great Sages, Rabbis and other wise men of the east. God had long used similitudes through His messengers the Prophets, Cf. Hosea 12:10 and to little purpose; now He uses similitudes by His Son Jesus Christ. We have here the general reason why Christ taught in parables.

The disciples were surprised at it, for hitherto, in his preaching he had not much used them and therefore they ask “why do you speak to them in parables”. They were truly desirous that the people might hear without understanding, they never said, why do you speak to us in parables.

 Beloved, we ought to be concerned for the edification of others, as well as for our own; let us all find time to create that enabling environment of faith in which other people can grow their faith in God. Let us give thanks for all we have been allowed to see and hear of God’s Presence in Jesus and for all those people of faith who preceded us and have made it possible for us to see and hear with the eyes and ears of faith.

Jesus answers the question by saying that, he preached in parables because through them, the things of God were made plainer and easier to them who were willingly ignorant, thus the gospel would be a savour of life to some and of death to others. A parable, like a pillar of cloud and fire, turns a dark side towards the Egyptians, which confounds them; but a light side towards the Israelites, which comforts them answers a double intention.

The same light that directs the eyes of some; dazzles the eyes of others. Thus, those who sincerely wish to understand God’s laws and ways, the parable would show them the way, but to those who perpetuate their wickedness, they confound and confuse them.

 “He who has, to him shall more be given” God surely gives, this truth may not strictly mean materially, though it may slightly be true too. One important truth of this is that, anyone who opens himself or herself up in faith and hope to God’s revelation of His plan of salvation, can make progress in understanding it. God’s knowledge is given to those who improve upon it by their industry, but from those, who are lazy even the little they have would be taken away – they who have the truth of grace, shall have the increase of grace.

Beloved, we are called to be among those who see with their eyes and hear with their ears of faith. The Lord wants and needs hearts that are open to his presence and call. The Lord is to be seen and heard in many others ways as well. He is visible and audible to us in and through each other, especially in and through those who are most vulnerable.

For He assures us in the gospel reading that if we have that basic openness, we will be given more than we have. The Lord will work all more in our lives to deepen our relationship with him, so that our lives bear the rich fruit of his Spirit. Let us pray fervently for our eyes to see and ears to hear his presence among us.

Rosary Prayer: Luminous Mysteries