Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 23,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He answered them, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but to them it has not been given. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will have abundance; but anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables: 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 hear but not understand,

You shall look but never perceive.

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

So I may heal them.

“But blessed are you 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.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

Am I receptive to the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven that Christ reveals? Or am I cynical and hard of heart?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks to us of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven and the necessity of possessing a heart and mind open to the Spirit. When Jesus speaks about anyone who has will receive more is not about wealth but a call to be open to the Spirit and the Spirit’s gifts because such openness multiplies blessings but closing oneself to the Spirit causes spiritual atrophy.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

LORD, open my mind and heart and soul to your wonder and grace. Grant that your transformative love will find a welcoming place in me. Grow me, LORD, according to your will. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more