Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 23, 2020 - Thursday in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 and Matt 13:10-17]The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?" He said to them in reply, "Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted." [Matthew]
One of the most distinct characteristics of Jesus' teaching is his use of parables. This was not unique to him. Colorful metaphors that communicate wisdom are part of many cultures. Aesop's Fables would be an example. In Jesus' case, the parables become a means of understanding who he is and what he has come to reveal to us. Scripture scholars, who write big books on the parables, point out that the Hebrew word for parable. mashal, can mean both a metaphor that communicates or it can mean a riddle! For those who are open to Jesus' words, the parables are revelations of the mystery of the Kingdom of God. To those who are not open, the parables are like mysterious riddles. The point of this is RESPONSE.
One does not have to read very far into the gospels to encounter people whose minds and hearts were closed to Jesus. One does not have to live very long to encounter folks who claim to be Christian but whose minds and hearts are closed to the gospels. Jesus' words can conflict with deeply ingrained political and social customs and beliefs. The words from Isaiah, quoted by Jesus, are as true now as they were when they were first spoken. If, having read the Sermon on the Mount or the parables, we find ourselves RESPONDING, "What if.....?" , this can mean that a parable or teaching has touched one of those ingrained political or social beliefs. That can be a call to conversion and to opening our minds and hearts to the gospels. For all of us, from Pope to pew person the situation is the same. Jesus has spoken to us. What is our RESPONSE? AMEN