Hear O Dubia

This morning's Gospel for the Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, was Mark 4: 21-25.  Jesus is speaking in parables because people like stories and they can relate even though they may not understand.

 I will add another reason.  People remember them.  People aren't sure they understand so they discuss them.  And today's Lectio Divina is an attempt to unwrap Mark v. 21-25.

There is one line that makes the people in the pew eyebrows go up: Mark 4: 25, To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Harsh?

Think deeper.

Lectio: Mark 4: 25

 To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Studium:

This saying is an adaption of a popular proverb.  Jesus is speaking to his apostles and those disciples who are learning from him.   Remember the apostles asking Jesus in Matthew 13:10 why He spoke in parables?  His answer is in the next v. 11: Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.  Understanding the parables is a gift.  It was given to the apostles because they wanted it.  The others not only didn't want to understand, they rejected the option.  They didn't even want to try.  This situation is predicted in Isaiah 6:9.

                                        You shall indeed hear but not understand

                                        You shall indeed look but never see,...

Meditatio:

Who knows but God how people think?  Jesus speaks Truth right in front of everyone but some reject Him before He has even opened His mouth.  They have closed their hearts and minds.  Then leave them be.  Only those who have accepted Jesus as God, the apostles, and other disciples will understand.  They will be given the gift of understanding.
     I can't help but think of a student I once had.  He was a bit of a troublemaker.  He was gifted intellectually but if he continued in his juvenile punk behavior, he was destined to waste and ruin his natural gifts.  I specifically picked out a book I thought (everyone thought) would be entertaining and perhaps hopefully, seduce him to like reading.  It was always the favorite of those who read it.  I only had one copy.  I saved it just for him.
     He never read it.  Everyone else was clamoring to read it and I had saved it just for him--to encourage him to read.  He wasted that opportunity.
     I never bothered with him, again.   from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Oratio:

Lord, I pray to be Your disciple.  I long to hear, understand and love Your Word.  I pray that others will hear and understand, also.  Your teaching Lord is in our magisterium.  Our Pope is a "disciple heavy-weight".  He is Your choice as our Father.  His teachings make Your teachings present for us today.  Let those who have eyes see that.

Contemplatio:

Beloved, I wish to have eyes to see and ears to hear You, My Lord, only You, My Lord.