Matthew 13:13-16. Jesus is explaining to his disciples why he speaks in parables to the people. He says it is because "seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." He says that Isaiah's prophecy is indeed fulfilled in them "You shall indeed see but never understand ... For this people's heart has grown dull ... and their eyes have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes ... and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them."

I think we are in desperate need of some parables! Or maybe (probably!) we have all the parables we need, we just have to dust them off and use them! I have been absolutely shocked by people today refusing to hear the truth. People I always expected to be seeking truth are instead actively closing their eyes - actively avoiding truth, I guess because it makes them uncomfortable. They truly refuse to see it - even when someone (like me) tries to speak it to them, they attack the messenger rather than listen. Having found myself in this situation on the abortion issue (among many others) with people I love, I have often later thought up parables in my head that I wish I could tell them (if they were talking to me :). I see the need to try to have them put themselves in a situation where they don't have an emotional investment in what I am talking about, so they can see the obviousness of the truth.

I am not nearly as good a parable writer as Jesus (shocking, I know;), but having read this gospel today, I realize that Jesus has given us all the parables we need. I have already used his parable of the Good Samaritan when talking to people who support hospitals denying transplants to people who are unvaccinated or whose donors are unvaccinated. I think that had a great effect.

So my new goal is to read up on the parables so that I always have a relevant one at the ready.