耶穌用比喻說天國的真理，固然為了遷就群眾的教育水平，因為他們沒有能力領會抽象的神學論述；而且嚴密的神學論述亦太脫離現實，無法在日常生活中得到應用。比喻的另一個好處是它們富於趣味，不會令人卻步，反而引人入勝，繼續追尋箇中的真理！這就是「因為凡有的，還要給他，使他富足」（瑪13:12a）的意思。固然，不是所有人喜歡聽故事的，有些人會覺得幼稚無聊，於是天國便失諸交臂了！「但是沒有的，連他所有的，也要由他奪去。」（13:12b）
等等，天主不是願意所有的人得救嗎（弟前2:4）？是天主的思想神妙莫測，還是先知們誤傳了天主的旨意呢？天主是慈悲的，為何依撒意亞先知卻說：「免得眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裡了解而轉變，而要我醫好他們。」（瑪13:15；依6:10）難道天主不願意罪人悔改，獲得痊癒嗎？不對！天主正在運用「激將法」，借先知的口說出一些相反的說話，誘發那些反叛的以色列人悔改，重投天主的懷抱。有點兒像父母哄患病的小朋友吃藥一樣。另一方面，為那些不是叛逆的人，這段說話警惕他們要留心天主的旨意，不要視而不見，聽而不聞。天主是自由的，祂會尊重每個人的自由。所以祂不會強迫我們去聽從祂的福音，分享祂的永恆生命。但我們深信，天主始終是慈悲的，祂一定有其他辦法令所有人得救。
父啊！感謝祢，因為我們現在能自由地宣講祢的福音，享受祢的恩寵。讓我們能繼續享受這份福樂，讚頌祢一直到永遠。亞孟。
Why did Jesus speak in parables? (Matthew 13:10-17)
Jesus speaks about the truth of the Kingdom of Heaven in parables in order to cater for the education level of the people because they did not have the intelligence to understand theological discourses. Moreover, water-tight theological discourses are too abstract for common people to apply in daily life. There is one more advantage for parables. They are interesting and inviting. People interested would continue to seek the truth! This is the meaning of "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance." (Matthew 13:12a) Of course, not all people like stories. Some feel that they are too naive and miss the opportunity to accept the Kingdom of Heaven. "But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (13:12b)
Wait. Will not God have all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)? Is God's thinking ineffable, or have the prophets handed down wrong messages about God's will? God is merciful but why did Isaiah say, "Lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15; Isaiah 6:10) Doesn't God wish sinners to repent and be healed? No! God speaks provocatively through prophets in opposite words to incite the rebellious Israelites to repent and return to His bosom. God acts like parents charming their sick children to take medicines. On the other hand, this provocation will remind those who are not rebellious not to look without seeing, to listen without hearing. God is free. He will respect our freedom. He will not force us to obey His invitation to partake in His eternal life. But we are convinced that God is merciful. He will find ways to save us all.
Father, we thank You because we can now freely proclaim Your gospel and enjoy Your grace. Allow us to continue partaking in this happiness and praise You until eternity. Amen.
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