Jesus’ Parables
Jeremiah 2:1-3,7-8,12-13/Psalm 35:6-11 / Matthew 13:10-17
The disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus replied, “For seeing they see but do not perceive, and hearing they hear but do not understand.” What are they seeing? Miracles. What are they hearing? Teaching. Yet their hearts remain closed.
So He spoke in parables that were easily relatable, so that when they see and hear, their hearts might be opened for conversion.
Jesus also noted that “this people’s heart has grown dull.” This means the problem was not with the miracles or the teaching, but with their hearts. In biblical language, the heart is the center of understanding and decision-making. When Jesus says, “this people’s heart has grown dull,” He means their resistance to God had become habitual. They understood His message, but they had already decided not to obey. Their minds were made up.
This is the same situation described in Isaiah 6:9-10, where the prophet was sent to a people who had repeatedly resisted God.
The same danger exists today. A closed heart is like a closed house. You cannot grow as long as your heart is closed. Some hearts are imprisoned by prejudice, tradition, pride, and an unteachable spirit.
The prophet Jeremiah, in the first reading, explains that the greatest tragedy is not abandoning religion, but abandoning God while remaining religious.
LET US PRAY
Lord Jesus, remove every prejudice, pride, and hardness of heart that blinds us to Your truth. Give us humble and teachable hearts, that hearing Your Word, we may understand it, live it, and bear lasting fruit. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
