Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 27, 2023

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."

Breaking the text open:

Today’s gospel for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time immediately follows the parable of the sower in the Gospel of Matthew. It is imperative that the reading be taken within context; without context one could easily misunderstand what Jesus is saying.

In today’s text, Jesus explains to the disciples why He teaches in parables. Jesus understands that many in the crowd listening to Him teach are not receptive to His message. They are not the soil that will produce fruit. While everyone heard the same parable, those who believed in Jesus and his authority were the rich soil and the seed they receive will bear fruit. They had (faith) and more was given them through their encounter with Jesus and upon hearing his teaching of the Kingdom. However, those who had not (faith) the seeds that they were given were lost and did not produce fruit.

Jesus quotes a passage from Isaiah which speaks of the cost of resisting grace which amplifies what he said about knowledge of the kingdom not being granted to them. It is not enough to hear the words of Jesus, one must be open to the Lord’s words and will.

Meditating on the text:

Am I open and receptive to Jesus’ words in Scripture? Do I accept Jesus’ sacrifice for my salvation? Do I trust in Jesus’ promises?

Praying:

Jesus, I realize that I need You. I know that You are the only begotten Son of the Father and that You came so that I might have life and have it in abundance. Send your Spirit to help me open myself fully to your power and presence, to You dwelling within me as You promised if I remain in You. Grant that the faith I have in You will be multiplied and that I might share the Good News of salvation from the Father, through You, in the Spirit.