Every Page Counts...: 15th Sunday in OT (Mt 13: 1-23)

One of the difficult but important challenges each time we read the Scriptures is finding fresh ideas from it. It is difficult because it takes time for fresh ideas to develop. It is important because such ideas will eventually bring out change on how we treat life. This reality brings out two certain truths:

We need wisdom which the Holy Spirit provides.
God’s words is life and alive.

Like in today’s Gospel reading, not only Jesus spoke in parable but he also explained the meaning of the parable when the disciples asked him about it. Why Jesus speaks in parable? We got the answer. What’s the meaning of the parable he just told. We had the explanation. So what other truth can we still deduce from it when Jesus’ explanation is very simple and clear?

However, when Jesus spoke the parable, he spoke it to them, about them and with them. We have here the same speaker and the same message yet referring to three different kinds of situation, audience and meaning. Within these three is the challenge: what have I got to do with it? Is Jesus speaking to me, about me or with me?

If He is speaking to me, do I hear Him? If Jesus is speaking about me, do I realize it? If He is speaking with me, do I understand?

Having a bountiful or disastrous life depends on how we react to the teachings we were imparted. While direct confrontation brings denial, anger and insecurities, speaking in slightly different tone creates an impact to analytic mind and gives room for self realization.

The message is simple and clear yet it needs a listening ear.

我們每次閱讀聖經的時候, 其中一個最困難而最重要的挑戰是我們如何找到一個新的想法和意義. 一方面很困難是因為發揮新的idea需要長的時間. 另一方面很重要是因為那找到了新的idea就會發出在我們如何對待生命新的想法與態度. 從這個角度來看我們可以肯定兩個真理:

1. 我們需要天主聖神的靈感

2. 天主聖言是生命與有活力的生命.

就像在今天的福音，不僅耶穌發言比喻，但當耶穌的門徒問祂時, 祂也解釋了比喻的含義，且又清楚又簡單。為什麼耶穌講比喻呢？我們得到了答案。耶穌講的比喻有什麼意義呢? 祂已經解釋給我們聽了。那麼，我們還可以推斷甚麼呢？

然而，當耶穌講撒種的比喻時，祂就對他們，談論有關他們並與他們講話。我們這裡有相同的傳播者和相同的消息，卻指出三種不同的情況，對象和意義。在這三個不同的情況，對象和意義中出來一個挑戰：耶穌剛講的比喻跟我有什麼關係呢？耶穌難道對我說話嗎? 還是祂跟我講話？如果祂對我說話，我能聽到祂嗎？若耶穌是談論我，我會否意識到這一點？如果祂跟我說話，我明白了嗎？