Parabolic Humility

Thursday, July 26th
Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne
Today we remember the parents of the Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus in our Liturgies. Although nothing is known for certain about their lives we can be sure they were good and holy parents through the actions of their daughter. Mary would never have been able to give her fiat had it not been for the parenting she received. Sts Joachim and Anne - pray for for all parents.


The Gospel today is from the 13th Chapter of Matthew. In it Jesus explains to His disciples the reason He uses parables in His teaching. Initially it sounds like Jesus is intentionally trying to withhold information from some while giving it to others but I think there is a better interpretation. In the context of this story, Jesus has just had a disagreement with the Pharisees. They are so arrogant and prideful that they do not have the ability to properly understand Jesus teachings. As He opens up the mysteries of heaven, earth and salvation by using similes of light, seeds, shepherds and etc. it is obvious that it takes a person in touch with the earth and the agriculture to rightly understand His meaning. This means that the Pharisees would probably have to go to a farmer or a shepherd and be humble enough to ask them to explain their trade to them so they could understand. Something they would likely NOT do.
But what about us? How many times do we sit in Mass and hear the Scriptures and receive the Eucharist and then go about our lives like nothing happened? There have been many times in my own life when I have sate in the Mass distracted by what is coming up next or thinking about what I need to do later. That is arrogance. That is thinking that my "stuff" is more important than what is going in Word and in Sacrament. It takes a humble heart to learn and receive what the Lord has for us.
Jesus, give me a humble and contrite heart that I might leave every Mass enriched by Word and enlivened by Sacrament.
Amen