Today's gospel, 24 July: On perceiving and listening for God's work and ways
Matthew 13:10-17
Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’
He answered,
‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
“You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.”
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell 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.
Today's gospel
Today's gospel reading invites us to ask ourselves, "Am I closed or open to wisdom and the light of Christ? It recalls also the well-known and self-explanatory proverbs, "None so blind as those who will not see", and, "None so deaf as those who will not hear." We can compare Hebrews 3:15: "As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Let us pray for soft and open hearts, in all people, in ourselves and across the world, so that the peace to which we are called and for which Christ died, may reign in our hearts. (See Colossians 3: 15.)
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Sacred Space
You can find a gentle prayer guide and reflection here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-07-24/
Christian Art
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-13-10-17-2025/
