REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus talks to his disciples, acknowledging how lucky they are because they have seen and heard what the ancient prophets and holy people longed to see and hear, but they did not.
It is true. Blessed are their eyes and their ears. The prophets and the righteous of old did not have the privilege to see Jesus and listen to his voice as he explains to them the parables and as they follow him in his itinerary.
In those bygone days, their pious ancestors and prophets were talking about the Messiah. They could only figure him out in their imagination.
The disciples, instead, are so blessed and fortunate because they see and hear him in flesh and blood. The Messiah is in front of them. They see his face. They hear his voice. They do not have to have wild imaginations, like the painters or poets trying hard to portray him, using their artistic talents to the maximum.
We believe we are also blessed because we see and hear Jesus in his words and sacraments. The liturgical celebrations have kept our Christian faith alive through the centuries.
FIRST READING •
Sir 44:1, 10-15
Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time:
These were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity for their sake.
And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on.
At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.
GOSPEL •
Matthew 13:16-17
Jesus said to his disciples, “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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.