Jesus spoke to them in parables only, "to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden since the creation of the world' " (Mt 13:34-35). Speaking in parables was Jesus' primary way of teaching the crowds. In this way, He announced things never before revealed. Therefore, we must pay attention to Jesus' parables.

However, the Lord warns us: "The time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but, following their own desires, will surround themselves with teachers who tickle their ears. They will stop listening to the truth and will wander off to fables" (2 Tm 4:3-4). Fables are also stories and sometimes not much different from parables. Fables can sometimes conceal the truth and deny sound doctrine. Through fables we can refuse to listen to the truth.

How can we tell the difference between a true parable and a false fable? It is only by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of truth will guide us to all truth (Jn 16:13). How can we know if we are correctly discerning the Spirit? We can know by the Church, especially by the Pope and the magisterium. Before the end of the world and Jesus' final coming, there will come a mass apostasy (2 Thes 2:3), and "the love of most will grow cold" (Mt 24:12). We thank God for giving us the Pope as a sure help in discerning the Spirit.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 4, 2008

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