“Who has ears, listen.” We must take care of how we listen. The first vigilance to have, however, must unify our energies around the beauty of the word sown in us. It is its value, precious as a more unique than rare pearl, that must surprise us, fascinate us, attract us. What ears do we need to really listen to? Ears – Jesus replies – capable of this joy: that of those who know how to taste the flavor of the Word. Its persuasive charm. Its convincing truth. The seed is not only powerful, effective, fruitful. It is a beautiful, attractive, convincing seed. Even the dryness of a road opens up to welcome it. The rays of the sun, instead of drying it, make it shine in its value. Even among the brambles its grace stands out. Also for this reason, in Matthew the invitation to listen is accompanied by a beatitude: “Blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they listen”. However, to the bliss of the listener, we must put the bliss of the sower in front. Blessed is he who continues to sow the seed while experiencing failure. Our bliss is generated by this most original bliss, which is the bliss itself of Jesus and his Father, who do not give up in the face of failure, but keep the joy of those who give freely in the secret of their actions.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey