Thursday in the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
If you are around a 3 year old child, you will hear this question asked frequently- “Why?” These toddlers are in good company, since the disciples in today’s gospel reading ask Jesus “Why?” He speaks in parables. Asking God (Jesus) questions may not produce all of the answers, but seeking the truth may provide opportunities to learn how to better see and hear what God is sharing with us in our daily lives.
Over the past several days, Jesus has been sharing various parables about the Kingdom of God in the daily Mass readings. The disciples ask, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” (Mt 13:10) Jesus explains, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.” (Mt 13:11) Jesus continues to say that “they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” “(Mt 13: 13)
Just like the inquisitive 3 year old and the disciples today, I often ask God, “Why?” Why is it that some people can hear and see, and others cannot? How can a God who is loving and compassionate not desire that all people hear and see the truths about the Kingdom? As I reflect on these questions, I recognize that God knows us so well, and loves us so much, that God allows us to choose. God invites- offers us grace, mercy, love and fullness of life, and then steps back to allow us to accept or refuse. We are given a free will to make our decisions, so resentment and fear will not overshadow our relationship with God.
I also wonder why we sometimes refuse God’s invitation. Upon further reflection, I believe that pride can prevent us from accepting God’s call. There can be a sense that we can do things without any help. We no longer turn to God- “the source of living water” (Jer 2:13). Instead we build “broken cisterns that hold no water” (Jer 2:13), since our foundation is not in God.
Why do the saints, the mystics and the holy people in our midst have ears that hear and eyes that see? Reflecting on the lives of these Godly people seems to reveal that these individuals stepped out in trust and fell into the arms of God. God invited them and they said “YES! Once they open their hearts, ears and eyes, they find God and the Kingdom all around them. Even in the midst of significant trials and sorrows, these people continue to believe and trust in a God who loves them deeply.
Why do we keep yearning for more- to see and hear better what God has in store for us? St. Augustine’s prayer answers this question for me: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." God will continue to invite us into relationship, as our hearts continue to yearn for God. Every moment is an opportunity to step out in trust and fall into God’s embrace.
I believe that God delights in us and our questions. Through our curiosity, we may not find all of the answers, but asking questions opens us up to God’s revelation. May our childlike disposition help us to better hear, see and find God and God’s Kingdom in our midst. AMEN
—Marylynn Herchline