THURSDAY- 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B
Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17: The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but
they are not revealed to them.
I Reading: Jeremiah 2:1-3. 7-8. 12-13:
My people have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, only to dig cisterns
for themselves, leaky cisterns that hold no water.
The Messiah’s Reasons for Speaking in Parables:
Who receives and Who Loses
The
secrets of the kingdom of heaven cannot be understood without first recognizing
Jesus as the Messiah and as the One who brings the kingdom of Heaven to people.
The secrets of the kingdom of heaven can be understood by the believing
disciples and would be misunderstood by the unbelieving crowds deliberately
blinded their eyes and deafened their ears. Jesus used a good method and taught
in parables to understand the Word of God clearly. The method shocked the
disciples. Therefore they questioned him: “Why?” His answer was a strong
warning to some and a great promise to others (Mk 4:1-2; Lk 8:9-10).
1. Why Jesus spoke in parables
(v.10-11)
a.
The
disciples questioned Jesus
b.
The
general statement
1)
Secrets
are given to believers
2)
Secrets
are not given to unbelievers
2. Reason 1: Seekers and achievers
receive more (v.12)
a.
Some
seek and have
b.
Some
do not seek and lose
3. Reason 2: Unbelievers reject and
lose (v.13-15)
a.
Their
wilful rejection
1)
Do
see and hear, yet refuse to really see and hear
2)
Refuse
to understand
b.
Their
rejection prophesied
c.
Their
rejection described
1)
Harden
their hearts
2)
Deafen
their ears
3)
Close
their eyes
4)
Deny
what they see
5)
Refuse
understanding
6)
Fight
conversion and healing
4. Reason 3: Believers receive and are
blessed (v.16-17)
a.
They
see and hear
b.
They
are especially privileged- privileged over Old Testament believers
Thought: A little formula says it all.
Perspective +
initiative = success
Perspective –
initiative = lost opportunity
Initiative – perspective
= nothing
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