Hear, but do not listen or understand

The Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world.

The nations of the West all have hundreds if not thousands of years of history of publically embracing Christianity.

Christians educate their children in the Faith and proclaim the Truth of Christ in print, on radio and TV, and on the Internet.

But many do not believe. Many even reject the faith they were taught.

It is a cause for frustration and even heartbreak.

Our Lord’s quotation of Isaiah (6:9-10) in today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:10-17) explains the situation neatly:

You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.

Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts
and be converted
and I heal them.

People block the Truth with wrong ideas, peer pressure, bad logic, specious excuses, old habits, intellectual laziness, and stubborn selfishness.

Moreover, faith is truly a gift: a gift that can break down all the barriers that men and women can build.

Pray for the gift of faith: for ourselves, for those who are dear to us, for our nation and for our world.