All intimate relationships need to be nourished and cared for. If we take the other person for granted or we are unfaithful, the relationship will fail. Speaking through the prophet, God calls to mind the love-filled time of the early days of His relationship with Israel. He remembers all of His acts of kindness and love towards Israel. Finally, with grief and disappointment, He relates Israel's infidelity and idolatry. To make matters worse, those who were supposed to have knowledge of God had none, and the spirituality of the people was compared to dry and empty cisterns. We need to commit ourselves to our relationships each day: friends, spouses, lovers, and most of all, God. Taking the time to be grateful for them and remembering to tell them how much they mean to us will work wonders.

Is Jesus trying to exclude others by speaking in parables? It was as puzzling to the disciples as it is to us. But Jesus is trying to see who is spiritually sensitive and open to change. So many religious people can look without seeing and listen without really hearing or understanding. Rigidity and narrow-mindedness can cloud our comprehension. That is what breeds fanaticism and fear. By speaking in parables, Jesus challenges His listeners to think - to go beyond the obvious and superficial and not take things for granted. Questioning what we read and hear, and even questioning ourselves about our understanding of our faith can lead us to a deeper understanding of God and His ways.