The Gospel announces that the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven are granted to those who look, see, hear and understand the words of salvation.

I recalled when I was in my grade-school days, I was encouraged by my mother to study playing the organ. At first, I told my mother that I do not want to play. I was hesitant to learn because of my lack of interest and unwillingness to learn. As time passed, my mother continuously pushed me to learn. She explained that by learning to play this musical instrument, I would be able to unlock my hidden potential, enhance my skills and most especially, I will be able to serve the Lord in our church. These words from my mother eventually impacted me and opened my mind and heart’s desire to learn to play the organ. My mother likewise said, “Blessings come in life when one serves the Lord wholeheartedly.”

As time progressed, I gradually improved my skills in playing the instrument. I went to study step-by-step various unique music sheets before learning religious songs. When I reached high school, I was able to join a choir in our parish and was able to utilize my God-given talent to serve Him. God made my mother as His instrument to help me see, hear, look and understand His Divine plan for my life. The talent that God entrusted me led to a generous invitation from God for me to heed His call to the priesthood.

Indeed, the Kingdom of Heaven is mysterious. God moves mysteriously in my life. He awakens my sleeping eyes and whispers softly to me when I fail to listen and do not understand the things around me. Through His Divine Providence, I am able to unlock my hidden potential and am able to utilize properly the talent He has entrusted me. The Gospel challenges me to help enlighten people who may be unable to see, hear, look, and understand the message that God wants conveyed and to share with others what God has entrusted me.

By: Sem. Fernan Angelo M. Gonzales

Today’s Gospel

Mt. 13: 10 -17

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?”
He said to them in reply,
“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven
has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.
To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because
they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted
and I heal them.

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to 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.”