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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider In parables

In parables

Published Jul 26, 2023 04:15 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

There is an apocryphal story about a certain businessman who was asked by his lady host the secret of his success in business. In answer, he gave her a blank check to write on whatever amount she wishes. The host politely refused the offer and returned the blank check to the businessman. The business-man retorted, “The secret of my success is that I don’t miss any opportunity, unlike what you just did.” What an opportunity lost to that lady! Today’s Gospel opens our eyes to the great opportunity lost to us if we are not able to grasp the wealth of Christ’s teachings. They are veiled in parables, but they are a treasure trove of learning from the Divine Master. A greater loss still if we just hear the Gospel with-out putting it into practice. We are like a person given a blank check, but throws the opportunity away.

Gospel • Matthew 13:10-17

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.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).

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