3rd Week of Ordinary Time - Wednesday - Whoever has ears ought to hear

One of the most distinctive and well-known characteristic of Jesus’ teaching is his use of parables.  A parable is a short, memorable story or image, usually drawn from nature or daily life, that conveys profound spiritual truths.

And though we are 20 centuries and thousands of miles removed from ancient Israel, Jesus’ parables and teachings speak right to the heart.  Jesus’ parables are simple enough for a child to understand them, yet they have a hidden depth of meaning that it is not always easy to grasp, but only comes to light upon thoughtful, reflection.

Jesus acknowledges the real possibility that people might see him but not perceive him, hear and listen to him and not understand him.  Even the disciples are often very slow in grasping the message Jesus has to give, but he insists that they must allow themselves to be drawn into his teaching and accept the radical implications for their lives.

So, in a way, through Jesus’ parable of the sower, he teaches us how to listen to parables.  It is a parable about parables.  When you are listening to the teacher you do best when your heart is not rocky, or thorny, but when you have cultivated the rich soil of your heart to receive Jesus’   Word. 

Jesus the teacher wishes to teach.  But it will be very hard for the thorny rocky heart to accept his teaching.  The obstinate heart is a real enemy to discovering who God is, what God wants for you, receiving the mercy God wishes to bestow, and bearing the fruit God made you to bear.  Like rich soil, the disciple hears the word of God, accepts it, and bears fruit.

How’s the soil of your heart?  Rocky, thorny, thin, or rich?  What kind of fruit is it bearing? Love or selfishness? Joy or melancholy? Peace or restlessness? Patience or boredom? Kindness or stinginess?  Gentleness or harshness?  Self-control or laziness?  The type of fruit we bear might be a good indicator that the Word of God has not fully penetrated and transformed our hearts, that we have not cooperated with it as intensely as we ought.

May our hearts be cultivated into the rich soil that generously receives God’s word and bear fruit that will last into eternity for the glory of God and salvation of souls.