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The “Ears” of Our Hearts

by Food For Thought on July 24, 2013 ·   

8

“Whoever has ears ought to hear”

The parable of the sower is one of the most important parables.
Appearing in three synoptic gospels, its importance is further
emphasized by its inclusion in the Sunday gospel.

Most of us have surely heard this parable. Many of us may also recall
its exact words. But how many of us can fully recall the explanation
Jesus gave to his disciples? Perhaps even fewer of us have reflected
more deeply on this parable and how it relates back to our own lives.
Maybe that is why our Lord Jesus said in one of his final reminders to
all of us: “Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Have the thorns and thistles brought on in our daily lives so
deafened us from hearing the soft and comforting Word of God? Are we
the footpath, or our souls rocky ground? Or, perhaps, are we among the
thorns, or the rich soil?

When we read this parable, perhaps we need to ask ourselves: Have the
“ears of our hearts” heard what the Word of God wants to tell us? Have
we opened our hearts to listen to what God is telling us through the
everyday circumstances in our lives? Do we try to spend time listening
to God in silence or through the scripture?

PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, Thank you for everything. All creation
proclaims your glory. Grant us the grace to grow in love with your Word
so that as we respond more fully to Your love, we may produce good
fruit for your glory.


32 posted on 07/24/2013 7:45:12 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 29, Issue 4

<< Wednesday, July 24, 2013 >> St. Sharbel Makhluf
 
Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
View Readings
Psalm 78:18-19, 23-28 Matthew 13:1-9
Similar Reflections
 

GOD IS LIKE THE RAIN

 
"A farmer went out sowing." —Matthew 13:4
 

It seems that God isn't very efficient. He sows manna and quail like "rain" (Ex 16:4; Ps 78:27). It lands everywhere, all over the camp, all over the desert ground, available to both the humble and those who grumble (Ex 16:13). He sows the Word like "the rain" (see Is 55:10-11). It lands everywhere, even on the footpath and the rocks and among thorns where it seemingly can't grow (Mt 13:4-7). The Lord even sends real rain to nourish the ground everywhere, on the land of the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45).

Praise God that He sends His Word everywhere — to the illiterate, marginalized, grumblers, criminals, sinners, to those who hate Him and those who hunger for His Word. "Learn a lesson from the way" God sows His Word and His grace (Mt 6:28). Have the attitude of God's agents, His rainclouds. They drop rain everywhere they are. Likewise, sow God's Word everywhere. Don't worry about wasting your effort, conserving your strength, or being efficient with your evangelization. Keep it simple. Think God's rain, think God's reign, and just get the Word out.

 
Prayer: Father, who am I to decide who is unable to receive Your Word and Your blessings? May I sow bountifully so You may reap bountifully (2 Cor 9:6).
Promise: "He commanded the skies above and the doors of heaven He opened; He rained manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly bread." —Ps 78:23-24
Praise: St. Sharbel was a Lebanese monk who lived for twenty-three years as a hermit. St. Sharbel, pray for peace in the Middle East.

33 posted on 07/24/2013 7:49:41 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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