Are you only going to believe when you understand?

The first scenario in the Parable of the Sower is the seed sown on the path (or the wayside soil). (See Matthew 13:4) Jesus explains: “The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.” (Matthew 13:19) The path is part of the field, but due to constant traffic of passing feet, the soil grows harder and harder. Ultimately the wayside soil becomes impermeable causing the seed to bounce off and be eaten by birds.

When we listen to the Word without understanding it, the devil comes and steals it. What prevents us from understanding the Word?

The General Directory of Catechesis says: “Knowledge of the faith (fides quae) is required by adherence to the faith (fides qua). Even in the human order, the love which one person has for another causes that person to wish to know the other all the more.” (GDC 85a)

Peter Kreeft, a renowned Catholic philosopher, has this to say about the Bible: “The Bible claims to give us truth-truth about God that we could not have discovered by ourselves… But what kind of truth?… the kind of truth that we say is ‘tried and true’ (see Ps 12:6), the kind that is ‘made true’ or performed (see Ezek 12:25), the kind that ‘comes true’ as the fulfillment of promises (see Mt 5:17-18). This is the kind of truth we find in a person, not just in an idea-in a person who is totally faithful to his word. God is that Person… If you let this Book speak to you, you will find that it will show you the true character of God and of yourself.” (Peter Kreeft, You Can Understand the Bible)