Jesus reveals the mysterious power of His parables. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Studiousness so he can study and hear Christ’s call in His Parables and by seeking the Gift of Knowledge from the Holy Spirit so he can receive the Spirit’s help to more fully live out his Catholic faith.
Liturgy
16th Week in Ordinary time – Thursday – Mt 13:10-17
Commentary
After proclaiming The Parable of the Sower to the large crowd, Jesus’ disciples ask why He teaches with parables. A parable is a short story that uses familiar images to draw the willing to ponder a cryptic deeper spiritual truth. In response, Jesus reveals a glimpse of the supernatural mystery of how God calls men, using parables which speak to the hearts of men who are humble, open, and hunger for God, but concealing Himself from the prideful, slothful, and rebellious. God accepts the reality that many men will not turn from sin and accept Him.
The seven parables of Chapter 13 in Matthew’s Gospel offer a small partial insight into Christ’s Kingdom of Heaven; the fullness of the Kingdom is beyond a man’s ability to comprehend. The Eternal King reveals “secrets” of the Kingdom of Heaven in parable form to initiate the willing to understand and accept the Kingdom. The “mystery” of the Kingdom is not a puzzle or problem to be solved, or a reality men can fully grasp, but a supernatural revelation God offers to intrigue and inspire His men to continually commit to seek Him.
As Jesus earlier taught the Apostles to not profane His holy teachings by offering the Gospel to those who are evil and unreceptive, whom He derogatorily calls “dogs” and “swine” (Mt 7:6), Jesus now teaches parables which make no sense to the unreceptive. For the disciples, and for all men of good will who seek Jesus and His Kingdom, He promises abundant blessings which include growing peace and joy on earth, and the eternal joy in the life to come. Those whom Jesus has blessed to be alive and to be exposed to Him, will be blessed with eternal salvation, but those who reject Him, will lose everything, including their eternal salvation.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Every word and deed of Jesus is guided by Divine Knowledge and is part of a perfectly designed plan of Salvation which spans time and engages the daily lives of every person. Marvel at the mind-boggling Knowledge and Power of God across time as He has a precise plan for each person, allowing them to either understand, or not understand His words at particular points in their lives.
Study and hear Christ’s call in His parables
Realize: Jesus purposefully evangelizes using dozens of parables, knowing some will be led to follow Him and others will fail to hear and understand His parables at particular points of their lives; every Catholic man can continually grow in holiness by carefully listening to Christ’s call in the parables.
Believe: Reflect upon Christ’s Divine Wisdom of the Parables (CCC 546, 2607).
Pray: Jesus, Divine Word, help me build the Virtue of Studiousness (a part of Temperance) so I am motivated to continually study and meditate upon Your many parables, and I am led by You to more fully understand how You are calling me to greater holiness in my life right now.
Seek the Spirit’s help to know and live the Faith
Realize: After the Apostles were graced to be taught the hidden meaning of the parables of Jesus, they passed His wisdom down through the ages in the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Believe: Reflect upon the great blessing of the Magisterium of the Church (CCC 888-892, 2032-2040).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Gift of Knowledge so I may be helped by You to better know the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church and be guided by You to know how to practically apply knowledge of the faith in my daily pursuit of holiness.