Saturday – 24^th Week in Ordinary Time   

Gospel –Luke 8-:4-15

A Teaching Moment

Synagogue Church, Nazareth

I have very vivid memories of preparing to get my driver’s license and, most especially, all the time and effort my dad put in to teach me!  I was so eager to learn and just couldn’t wait til he said those magic word – let’s go for a drive.  Of course, learning to drive stick-shift was not an easy task but Dad was patient and kind.  He even constructed some wooden barriers in our driveway so that I could practice parallel parking.  He was a great teacher; he made me want to learn and to ask questions!

The parable in today’s Gospel is so very familiar – the sower and the seed.  But let’s put the parable itself aside and just focus on one verse – “Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be.”  Think about that!  They didn’t understand and yet they wanted to!  So they asked the teacher!  They were eager to learn from the Master!  Too often we think of the Apostles as relatively illiterate, unsophisticated country folk.  But let’s give them some credit here!  They didn’t understand the meaning of the parable; but they weren’t afraid to ask for help, to ask for an explanation!

What about us?  Do we think we already know it all?  Do we decide we have all the answers?  Do we realize that we all still have a lot to learn?  Or do we accept that the Master has the answers we are searching for?  Do we believe that, no matter our age or experience, there are teachable moments throughout our life?

So, let’s follow the instructions of the Teacher -   Whoever has ears should hear!   Pay attention!  And if and when you are a bit lost, don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask the Teacher!