He who has ears

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10 Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17 Matthew 13:1-9

Matthew 13:9  He who has ears, let him hear."

This is something that Jesus says several times in scripture.  He doesn't say "everybody" hear, but those who have ears.  Were there people walking around in those days without ears?

I think that having ears is part of being good soil.  God's word can take root and grow without being choked by weeds when the soil is good, when we have ears.  We must be open and willing to listen and obey.  We must be good soil.

Granted we can't become good soil just because we want to.  We really will not even want to unless God prepares our hearts.  God makes the soil good.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to hear your words.  Not just to physically hear the sounds or even to just commit to memory what you have said, but to make it part of my being, to be nourished by it as the plants are nourished by the rich soil.

Amen