Blessed are Your Eyes and Ears

Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.” But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. Matthew 13:10-17

We are home after a wonderful trip and truly glad to be back. We went many places and had great visits and amazing experiences. Our last evening, we spent at the Scottish Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh, being regaled with ancient stories of the sea and the people. Folks listened intently and were on the edge of their seats the whole time. Unfortunately, at other times, we fail to see and listen in the same way. Walking the busy streets, we were amazed by the many people who saw nothing because they were focused on the little phone in their hand. They neither saw the beauty of the landscape, nor the fascinating faces of the people around them. We are all guilty of not seeing and not hearing even if we have good eyes and ears. The disciples were questioning why Jesus told stories and his answer, less direct than I will be, was so that they would remember and tell the story again. Riveting stories get retold. Let us be those who hear and see and retell the wonderful, good news.

Gracious Creator, you paint the earth and sky

giving up the stories from the sea and wind

so that we might share the stories given to us.

Yet we keep the wisdom stories to ourselves

we fail to tell them to our children and neighbors

and we fail to use the wisdom you have given us.

Open our eyes and ears again to be blessed by you

give our hearts the ache to share your love again

and help us tell your stories of love with the world. Amen.