St. Sharbel Makhluf
Mt 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.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
Prayerful Patience
If there’s one prayer I make most often, it is a daily prayer for a “prayerful patience.” When I read today’s Gospel, I think of the many times I listen but do not hear; look but do not see; contemplate but do not understand. I consider these moments as times when I am not practicing prayerful patience. These moments in which my heart is not humbled or quieted in order to hear God’s voice resounding are the moments I know I am closing myself to him.
I have always marveled at those individuals who could be enduring a tough time in their life and undergo it with such poise and composure. They are the ones who hear, see and feel the movement of the Spirit when hardest. They are prayerfully waiting and experiencing God’s work in their life and in their hearts. They are prayerfully patient.
—Lisa M. Sroka coordinates retreats and designs marketing materials for Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. She is a Chicago vocalist and alum of Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
Let nothing disturb thee; let nothing frighten thee.
Everything is changing, God alone is changeless.
Patience attains the goal.
One who has God lacks nothing.
God alone fills our needs.
—St. Teresa of Avila