Monday, March 05, 2007 Alipio: No excuses By Fr. Jose Alipio The Yoke
Mk 4:1-20
EVERYONE who has ever read the gospels knows that Jesus taught by means of parables. He chose the simple situations of everyday life to teach the most profound and spiritual truths.
Usually, we have assumed that he taught this way in order to reach all people with his message regardless of their intellectual sophistication. These stories seem simple enough that even children can understand them.
But when asked by his disciples about why he taught in parables, Jesus gave a puzzling answer in Mark's account of this event. Jesus seemed to tell them that he taught in parables so that outsiders could not see, so that they could not understand, "lest perhaps they repent and be forgiven."
It almost sounds like Jesus taught in parables to keep certain people out of the kingdom instead of trying to get all of them in.
This interpretation would be profoundly disturbing if it were true. This would turn Christianity into an exclusive religion meant for the elect, rather than an inclusive religion meant for the whole world.
On occasion, some Christians have argued for this narrow view of the elect, but for the most part, the church has believed that Christ died for all. How then can we explain this seeming contradiction? One way to interpret these words of Jesus is that he taught in parables to open the way into the kingdom to everyone.
Those who choose not to see and not to understand the gospel are without excuse.
The invitation of Jesus is as plain as the nose on your face. If you turn your back on these simple stories of faith, then nothing is going to compel you to see the light, to hear the word of God.
