The disciples approached him 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 by do not see and hear but do no 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."
The Word in other words
Fr. Alphonse, itinerant missionary, was known to be a good hunter. He knew how to combine his pastoral work in the villages and the thrill of chasing wild animals still abundant in the forest. He had the cross on one hand and the rifle on the other hand. His parish priest eagerly waited for him on Sunday evening when he came back with wild animals for food.
I discovered the secret of his success years later when I succeeded him. He did not hunt alone. He was always accompanied by his loyal companion, a native of the village. In the forest, at night, despite his powerful headlights and sophisticated weapon, Fr. Alphonse saw only the leaves. It was the native hunter with his sharp eyes who saw the prey camouflaged in the thickets. He could see many things that our hero could not see. Also, his ears can hear and distinguish more sounds than Fr. Alphonse's ears. What made the difference? The native hunter has attuned eyes and ears since childhood enabling him to see and hear the animals better than an ordinary person.
Jesus spent most of his time preaching and teaching. He spoke in parables drawn from the simple realities of life. Large crowds of people listened to him. Many understood and discovered the treasures of his words. But others did not understand. They could not grasp their deeper meaning. here were even those who, because of prejudice, deliberately closed their hearts to him. Therefore they were not aware of the presence of God's kingdom. Some even have the impression that they lived in hell. The reality of the kingdom of heaven is a mystery. It is like the forest full of colors and beautiful sounds, of plants and animals, BUT it is perceivable only by trained eyes, attentive ears and disposed hearts. It is in our midst, it is growing, it is changing lives of people freeing them from all kinds of chains. Happy the person who lives the reality of kingdom of heaven! With eyes of faith they see the many wonders of God.
- Fr. Xene Sanchez, SVD(Congo)
