Thursday 21 July 2022

Today is Thursday 21st July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time.

Eliza King sings, ‘Secret Place’.

Holy Father, all-knowing Spirit
Come remind me of the truth
It was known in the garden, before I wandered off and forgot that
All I need is you
It's in the secret place I find you, I find you
And in your presence is a tower of refuge
My eyes are opened to a new revelation
My heart is stirred and my soul is awakened
It's in the secret place I find my freedom
You know me deeply, know how to love me
Better than anybody еlse
I feel you clothe me in garmеnts of mercy
And crown my head in perfect love
It's in the secret place I find you, I find you
And in your presence is a tower of refuge
My eyes are opened to a new revelation
My heart is stirred and my soul is awakened
It's in the secret place I find you, I find you
And in your presence is a tower of refuge
My eyes are opened to a new revelation
My heart is stirred and my soul is awakened
It's in the secret place I find my freedom
Only through the eyes of Jesus can I truly see
As my thoughts are lifted to the high and the heavenly
This is a fellowship of face to face
Oh how I love you in the secret place
So I'll run to you, I will never stop coming
Oh how I love you in the secret place
Yes I'll run to you, I will never stop coming
Oh how I love you in the secret place

Today’s reading is from the gospel of Matthew.

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 Jesus is speaking with his disciples, those who are close to him. What response do you have to Jesus’ explanation of the ‘secrets of the kingdom of heaven’?

The disciples are asking Jesus why he speaks in parables, stories with open endings, rather giving instruction. Why not just tell them? Jesus explains ‘why not’. How do you understand this?

Jesus understands the power of story, that calls on all the senses to be engaged, that weaves what they know into something more, something deeper. Can you recall a time that God spoke to you in this way?

As you listen again, become aware of God speaking to you through this very passage…

As this time of prayer draws to a close, ask the Lord to open your eyes and ears, to open your heart to the healing touch of his words.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.