Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 / Matthew 13:10-17
Life is not as complicated as it might seem to be. Generally speaking, if we follow some of the basic rules in life then things can be quite clear.
For example some of the simple rules in life might be this:
If you never go after what you want, you will never have it
If you do not ask, the answer will always be no.
If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place.
One of the surprising statements in the 1st reading is this: The priests have never asked, "Where is the Lord?". Those who administer the Law have no knowledge of me. The shepherds have rebelled against me; the prophets have prophesied in the name of Baal, following the things with no power in them.
It must be remembered that the Lord brought His people out of slavery into a fertile country to enjoy its produce and good things.
They didn't ask for it; probably they didn't even dreamed of it. But when they had it, they took it all for granted and even abandoned and rebelled against God who provided for them.
And God had to use these words to describe what His people had done: stand aghast at this, stand stupefied, stand utterly appalled!
So eventually it was taken away from them. Because they don't have the love for God to give thanks for His blessings.
As Jesus said in the gospel: From anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But Jesus also said: For anyone who has will be give more, and he will have more than enough.
The fundamental rule of the spiritual life is to have love for the Lord and to give thanks for His blessings.
Then our eyes will see and our ears will hear all the good things the Lord wants to give us.