THE WORD
Jer 2,1-3.7-8.12-13 / Mt 13,10-17
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to them 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. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.’ Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but not understand you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.’
“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.
IN OTHER WORDS
There is no one as blind as one who has eyes but refuses to see and no one as deaf as one who has ears but refuses to hear. This may explain the prevalence of poverty, evil, and sin. When people pretend that they do not see or hear, they are showing that they do not want to be involved and may admit powerlessness.
Jesus in today’s gospel reminds us about this human condition and challenges us to improve the situation. The disciples were blessed to know the mysteries of the kingdom. To lead others to conversion– to open people’s eyes and ears – was their mission, as well as the call to those who want to be counted among the people of God.
Pope Francis’ Philippine visit was an “eye-opener.” Jesus told parables; Pope Francis gave examples of mercy and compassion. By his concrete actions, Pope Francis was a parable himself through which the eyes and ears of people were opened, making them return to the Church.
We are challenged then to act more concretely on the issues of poverty, evil, and sin so that others may be enlightened and inspired by what we do. May our lives become parables that will lead others to see, hear, and understand.
- Fr. Gil Alejandria, SVD | CT Manila
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience. The Word in other words 2016
