One Minute Reflection – 29 January – ‘God’s true “Parable” is Jesus Himself … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 29 January – Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A – Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89:4-5, 27-30, Mark 4:1-20

And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God but for those outside, everything is in parables…” … Mark 4:11

REFLECTION – “… This Gospel also puts the accent on Jesus’ preaching “method”, that is, on His use of parables.   “Why do you speak to them in parables?”, his disciples ask (Mt 13:10).   And Jesus answers distinguishing between them and the crowd – to His disciples, namely to those who have already decided for Him, He can speak openly about the Kingdom of God, to others, instead, He must proclaim it in parables, precisely to encourage their decision, conversion of the heart, indeed, by their very nature parables demand the effort of interpretation, they not only challenge the mind but also freedom. St John Chrysostom explained: “And this He [Jesus] says to draw them unto Him and to provoke them and to signify that if they would convert, He would heal them” (cf. Homily on the Gospel of Matthew, 45, 1-2).

Basically, God’s true “Parable” is Jesus Himself, His Person who, in the sign of humanity, hides and at the same time, reveals, His divinity.   In this manner, God does not force us to believe in Him but attracts us to Him with the truth and goodness of His incarnate Son – love, in fact, always respects freedom.” … Pope Benedict XVI – Angelus, Sunday, 10 July 2011

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your providence You rule us, You have planted us, penetrate our inmost being Your holy Light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service to You.   May we never hesitate to run to Your all-forgiving arms of mercy, when we allow the rocks and thorns of this life to prevent our growth and our steps as we return home to You.   May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, our Mother, all the angels and saints be unfailing assistance to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.