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Gospel Reading for July 23, 2026 – Matthew 13: 10-17
PERSONAL JOURNEY
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.”
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Jesus often taught through parables, which are commonly described as “earthly stories with heavenly meanings.” In Filipino, they are somewhat like a “parinig” or the saying, “Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan huwag magalit.”
Why did Jesus speak in parables instead of simply saying outright what he wanted people to see and understand? Perhaps it was because the Word of God can be truly understood and continually deepened only through the heart. We need to see with our heart and listen with our heart if we are to enter into a genuine relationship with God.
For example, we should not look at our lives as merely existing or simply occupying a space on earth for a period of time. Jesus, the Son of God and the Giver of life, knows exactly why we were created. Through his Word, he invites each of us to search our hearts and discover the purpose for which God created us.
Life is not like a lesson in school that can simply be memorized. It is a PERSONAL JOURNEY that is enriched by the movements of a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. The more we open our hearts to God’s Word, the more we come to understand who we are, why we are here, and how God is calling us to live.
Lord Jesus, help us to truly see and listen to your Word with open hearts, so that it may guide us throughout our lives. Amen.
