Jesus Spoke to the Crowds in Parables: Why?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Sixteenth Week :  Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 13:10-17*

*First Reading : Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b*

*Responsorial Psalm : Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56*

*Jesus Spoke to the Crowds in Parables: Why?*

*1) Logic Behind Speaking in Parables*

*A) To Fulfill Prophecy*

Jesus’ teaching method fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah:

*“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive…”* (Isaiah 6:9–10, quoted in Matt 13:14–15)

This shows that hardness of heart would be a barrier to receiving God’s truth, and Jesus used parables to test spiritual receptivity.

*B) To Invite Reflection and Conversion*

Parables are not direct lectures, but stories that provoke thought. 

They demand that the listener be actively involved, seeking meaning.

Example: The Parable of the Sower (Mt 13:1–23) makes people ask: “Which soil am I?” 

It invites self-examination and repentance.

*C) To Protect the Mystery of the Kingdom*

Jesus said the *"mysteries of the Kingdom"* are not for the crowds to dissect intellectually or reject arrogantly. 

They are given to the humble and faithful.

In other words: Parables guard sacred truths from being misused or misunderstood by those who are not spiritually ready.

*D) To Draw In the Humble and Open*

Those who truly seek will understand. Jesus often said:

*“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”* (Matt 13:9)

Humility and openness are required to hear the deeper meaning.

*2)Biblical Reflections on Parables*

*A) Parables are like Seeds*

They may seem small and simple (like mustard seeds), but they carry immense potential when planted in fertile hearts (Matt 13:31–32).

*B) Parables Separate Listeners*

They act like a spiritual filter: those who are hungry for God seek the truth, while others dismiss them as mere stories.

*C) Parables Reveal the Kingdom’s Hidden Nature*

The Kingdom is not flashy or political—it is hidden like treasure (Matt 13:44), or working invisibly like yeast (Matt 13:33).

*3) Spiritual Application*

Do I have a heart ready to hear?

Am I approaching Jesus with curiosity or with resistance?

Am I willing to dig deeper for the spiritual meaning?

God does not hide truth to frustrate us, but to invite us into relationship and discovery.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*