Thursday: 16th Week in Ordinary Time-C
I Reading: Exodus 19:1-2.9-11.16-20: The
Lord will descend on the mountain of Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17: The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but
they are not revealed to them.
The Messiah’s Reasons for Speaking in Parables:
Who Receives and Who Loses
Why
did Jesus speak like this so that his audience could not understand? The
reasons are:
i.
The unbelieving crowds were deliberately shutting their eyes and ears to His claim and refusing to be converted and
healed spiritually (v.13-15).
ii.
It was time to teach the “secrets of the kingdom of heaven” to true disciple.
Only the true disciples could understand his teachings and obey them but the
deaf and blind heart and mind people would not listen to Jesus.
iii.
“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.
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 seek 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 over Old Testament believers
Thought: A
little formula says it all.
Perspective + Initiative = Success
Perspective – Initiative = Lost
opportunity
Initiative – Perspective = Nothing
The person
who seeks more achieves more and more.
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