Reflection for July 23, Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:10-17

Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables? He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

What is the key to unlock the hidden message of the parables of Jesus? The key is to become a follower like the disciples. Many of us do not decipher the hidden message/s of the parable/s for the reason that we don’t faithfully follow.

For example, our every Sunday Holy Mass obligation. We all know that it’s a must for all Catholics to go to Holy Mass every Sunday. So that we could be with Jesus up close and personal. But do we always make ourselves available even for just one hour during Sunday? Sundays are supposed to be the Lord’s Day but do we make it sacred by going to Holy Mass?

Unlike other Christian religions who do not allow their followers to read the bible by themselves. We Catholics are very much encouraged by the church to open our bibles and read it. So that we would discover and know more about Jesus.  But do we still find time to read our bibles?

Once you decide to find time for Jesus. You would also feel that your mind is slowly being opened to the many truths about Jesus and the church which He founded through Saint Peter. Your mind will  also be opened to fully understand the hidden message/s of the parables. You  will not only grow in knowledge about Jesus you will also deepen your personal relationship with Jesus.

Endeavor therefore to always ask Jesus to increase your faith and do your part as well by following the discipline of the church. And see for yourself the many graces that would be showered upon you. Including the grace of understanding the hidden message/s of Jesus’ parables.        
  

Do you still regularly find time for Jesus in the middle of your very hectic schedule? – Marino J. Dasmarinas