Scripture: Matthew 13:15-17
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.
Thought of the Day: Have you ever missed what was right in front of you. Maybe it was your car keys that eluded your vision despite being right there in front of you. Or maybe it is a new pair of glasses with progressive lenses that had you miss the bottom step (this is my current struggle). Jesus recognized how there were many who could not perceive what was right before them. For whatever reason, many folks are unable to see what God is doing. Richard Rohr wrote, “There is nothing that is not spiritual for those who have learned how to see.” I tend to agree with Rohr even though there is much that remains elusive in my own faith journey. As people of faith, we must remain diligent in our pursuit of God, especially as we develop a heightened sense of the holy in the everyday. This does not come naturally, and so we must be tenacious in our spiritual formation, and draw upon the experiences of others who have eyes and ears that are capable of distinguishing the divine in all things.
Prayer: Assist me, O Lord, through the work of your spirit; provide me mentors who can help me along the way; speak to me through the teachings of Jesus who seemed to always be fully aware of your presence. Amen.
