Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - Wednesday in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 7:4-17 and Mark 4:1-20]"Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?" [Mark]
Jesus' method of teaching relied greatly on the use of parables. Parables are not allegories. In an allegory, everything stands for something else that is already known but is spoken in coded language for any number of reasons. In a parable, the image is familiar but is used to make us think about something new. Jesus' parables are rich with images and it is easy sometimes to get lost in the details and miss the point of the parable.
In the parable from the Gospel of Mark for today's gospel scripture, Jesus introduces his disciples to his method of teaching. We know that the Gospel of Mark shows the disciples as having difficulties understanding him right up to his death and resurrection. His aim is to get them to understand what the purpose of the parables is. That aim is to focus on Jesus and not on the details. In today's parable, the focus should be on the sower and not on the seed or the soil. Jesus is the one who brings the word of the kingdom of God. Although some will reject it, others will show a harvest beyond any expectation. But first and foremost, there must be a sower who brings the seed of the kingdom. The disciples will have to learn that they too will be sowers and that the seed to be sown is Jesus and the kingdom.
We will see the use of the image of a seed for God's Word in other places in Jesus' teaching. It is a familiar thing but it helps us to see how God's ways work in our world. That is the point of a parable. There are many more coming. Read ahead in Matthew and Luke as well. (John has his own agenda!) AMEN
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