JESUS -- WE KNOW BUT DO WE UNDERSTAND?

Friday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
Mt 13:18-23

It is clear that “understanding” is the key word in the Gospel today. It is understanding the Word of God that makes the difference and yields a rich harvest. It is not enough to simply receive the Word of God. We have to understand it as well.

To receive the Word of God is to know it. Knowing it, however, is not the same as understanding it. We know many things in life, but we do not necessarily understand them. Understanding does not come from mere knowing. Knowing, however, is a prerequisite to understanding.

Let us know the Word of God. Let us understand it. Let us receive the Word of God and study it.

Understanding comes from studying. Studying here means more than what we normally do in school. Studying here goes beyond reading and research. Studying here means living the Word of God. This way of studying resonates well with the Jewish concept of being a disciple, a student.

The rabbinic method of teaching is for the teacher to take in into his care his student. Through this method, the student lives with his teacher. Studying then becomes learning the ways of the master. After years of living with his teacher, the disciple eventually lives the life of his master.

Jesus is Word of God. To know Him is to receive Him into our life. To understand Him is to live His life.

We measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of what has been taught him through an exam. Our way of life reveals our knowledge and understanding of Jesus, the Word of God. And the revelation may surprise us with some discrepancies between what we know and what we understand about Him.