Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 13, 10-17
Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
“You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn-
and I would heal them.”
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell 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.
Listen and see
1) Parables. Jesus speaks clearly and uses the elements of His time and place to make himself understood. It is Jesus who teaches us that the message of the Kingdom must be made as clear as possible for people to understand. Today we must also work to make His message accessible and close, to show Jesus’s message in everyday situations and experiences. How do you get Christ’s message across to your brothers and sisters?
2) They do not understand. There are times when we harden our minds and hearts and we do not allow Jesus’s message to come in. There are times when we shut ourselves off from others and we don’t let the Word into our hearts. Let Jesus come into your heart and do not allow prejudice to take over and make you be on the defensive. Don’t become hard-hearted or close-minded.
3) Hard-hearted. Perhaps everything you have gone through or suffered in life has led you to harden your heart, to withdraw from others and to complain all the time. Do not let situations turn you into a rock, or into an utter pessimist. Instead, turn to Jesus and look for gentleness and happiness in your life. Do not be afraid to open up and give yourself to others. Remember that life flies by quickly.
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May our Lady always be your ally and do not fear, life is beautiful! Remember, Heaven is our goal!
