Trying to Understand
PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4 HEB 10:11-18 MK 4:1-20
You try to share your faith and the person you’re
talking to just can’t seem to get it. It seems so simple to you; because, to
you faith is irresistible. Today is the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, a man that
found God irresistible and the mysteries of faith seemed so simple.
Two people raised in the same house can be entirely
different. One person will believe in Jesus and another will be indifferent. One
understands so easily and others just don’t get it. We find this in today’s readings. In
the gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and his disciples don’t understand.
Even those who know the mystery are lost.
Jesus could've
made his identify more obvious by not speaking in parables. More people would
believe if he did more miracles. If my goal was to get everyone to accept me, then being
understood would be a good place to start.
But Jesus is God and He uses the approach that God
has always used. God does not impose a relationship with Himself on us; rather
he proposes the relationship. He gives us enough for a free response of our
will.
They may look and see but not perceive, and
hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and
be forgiven.
We are to witness and tell others
about Jesus. Some will listen. Some understand. Some will change and some will be indifferent. Some may even be rude and challenging.
Eight hundred years ago, St. Thomas
Aquinas met with the same things. But he was faithful and he helped us to
understand the mysteries of God. He is still witnessing to the world. We are to
do the same. Mother Theresa offered this
advice, “God calls us not to be successful, but to be faithful.”
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