“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

"When he [Jesus] said this [parable of the sower], he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets [or mysteries] of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others, I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ (Luke 8:8-10)

A true disciple of Jesus is not satisfied with only hearing a parable, but also in understanding it, and so they will read, but also ask Jesus for understanding. St. Augustine said, "credo ut intelligam", a Latin phrase that may be translated “I believe in order to understand.” Faith leads to understanding; and understanding, in turn, leads to greater faith. Only believing and understanding of God's word will save us, and transform our hearts to trust and love God and our neighbor. Psalms 119:130 says, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Do you and do I seek to believe, and understand what we read?

Others are satisfied with hearing a parable of Jesus as a nice story, and that's where it ends for them. That was the case for most of the people who heard Jesus, gladly. Matthew 13:19 says, "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart." Are you, and am I glad simply to hear God's word without seeking to understand it, and letting the devil snatch away even what we have heard?