Scripture:
Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b
Matthew 13:10-17
Reflection:
When I read this passage from Matthew, I think of what I have always remembered about the way Christ speaks to us. He will speak to us in ways we will understand. And that is what he does as he shares the parables. The people he was speaking to didn’t believe and so any message of spirituality would have been immediately rejected because the people were not ready to listen. But Jesus shares stories that he knows people can relate to and identify with. The message will be received!
God wants us to make good use of the gifts he gives us – the gift of mercy, the gift of understanding, THE GIFT OF GRACE. We all have our moments of missing His message, or of not wanting to hear what He wants us to hear. Jesus appreciates the openness his disciples have to God’s grace, that they accept his teachings and know that he is THE Lord. But it was all planned by God – the one who knows the number of hairs on our heads, the specks of sand on the beach – he knows it all, and he knew that they would follow and dedicate themselves to him.
When we hear that story, take the time to listen and act upon it. Open your heart to receive it. He comes to us as we can understand Him, He appears to us in ways that we can accept Him and know who He is. Have the sensitivity to accept the grace that God shares with you. Allow yourself to be inspired by what God can do for you and believe.
God bless you all!
Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.