Christian Art | Parables Of The Kingdom
Matthew 13: 10-17 – Week 16 Ordinary Time, Thursday (King James Audio Bible KJV)
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Jesus’ disciples have opened their hearts to Jesus. They have responded to Jesus by being receptive to the Christian truth he brings, and therefore they may be given to understand the parables. The disciples’ understanding of the presence of the Kingdom in their lives, of which the parables speak, follows upon their faith in Jesus.
While the religious authorities of Jesus’ time, such as the Pharisees, insisted that God was to be found in people’s observance of the Law, and in all the highly detailed and complex elaborations of the Law that had been made through the centuries, Jesus teaches us through the parables that God is with us in the texture of our everyday lives. With Jesus, the Kingdom is come.
The disciples walk with Jesus – the Kingdom is most directly, palpably present in their midst. It is because the disciples are open to the truth of Jesus that they are able to discover truths concerning our relationship with God through the parables. For others, whose heart is waxed gross, the parables remain obscure and cannot serve as a portal of discovery, leading us to look again at our lives, as contemplatives, and so find God with us. Those others’ sense of God remains elsewhere, turned away from Jesus, perhaps caught up still in the hope of a warrior Messiah, a military-political leader, and so they lose the little they had.
When we think of those of Jesus’ time whose hearts were hardened against Jesus, we may think also of those times when we have been hard-hearted and dull-minded in the presence of God’s grace – when we have sinned and when it is our sins, centuries on, which nail Jesus to the cross. We are warned in these verses to be alert to such dullness, to recall ourselves to the wonderful gift of Christ in our lives, to confess our sins and be responsive to God’s grace, to open our hearts to be blessed in Jesus.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Grant us, Lord, a true knowledge of salvation,
so that, freed from fear and the power of our foes,
we may serve you faithfully,
all the days of our life.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
Are Jesus’ Parables Meant To Be Understood?
In many of his parables, Jesus challenges conventional wisdom and upends traditional expectations. For example, he tells the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a despised outsider demonstrates true compassion and kindness, while religious leaders fail to do so. He also tells the parable of the Prodigal Son, in which a wayward son who squanders his inheritance is welcomed back with open arms by his loving father, while his obedient brother who stayed at home is resentful.
These parables can be seen as challenging the wisdom of the world and the assumptions that people hold about morality, status, and power. By presenting a radically different vision of what it means to be righteous and just, Jesus is inviting his listeners to reexamine their own values and priorities. This can be a difficult and unsettling process, but it is one that is necessary for spiritual growth and transformation.
In this sense, Jesus’ use of parables can be seen as a way of subverting the dominant cultural narratives of his time and inviting his listeners to embrace a new way of being in the world. It is a call to reject the values of the world and embrace the values of the kingdom of heaven, which are often in direct opposition to those of the world.
In this sense, Jesus’ parables are a call to new knowledge beyond heretofore human understanding – the parables precede what further knowledge of God might proceed.
Origen’s reflection on Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel, ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up,’ (John 2:19) draws together several layers of meaning. At the literal level, Jesus refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central symbol of Israel’s covenant with God. Yet Origen, following John’s own interpretation (John 2:21), sees that Jesus is ultimately speaking of his own body, which would be destroyed in death and raised in resurrection [ … ]
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
The disciples receive the universal apostolic mandate, commanded by Jesus to take the good news to the whole world, to preach to everyone. This apostolic mission applies to the Church to this day. It applies to the whole Church, laity included. All members of Christ’s body share the Christian vocation to lead others to faith in Christ, to be instruments or vehicles of salvation for others. We are to take the good news to everyone, through our words, through our works, by example [ … ]
