The above passage is a Scripture quote from Isaiah 6:9-10. Isaiah had seen a vision of God, was purified, and accepted God's call to be His prophet (Is 6:1-8). Upon saying his 'Yes' to God, the Lord spoke the above words to Isaiah. In essence, God told Isaiah that by faithfully prophesying an understandable message, it would be as if Isaiah was causing obstinacy rather than repentance. Isaiah 6:9-10 is quoted no less than five times in the New Testament (Mt 13:14-15; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Jn 12:40; Acts 28:26-27), making it one of the most quoted Old Testament passages.
Jesus is reminding us that we must be faithful to God's calling to spread His word, regardless of the results. We must go out and sow, no matter what (Mt 13:4). If people don't receive God's word, why should we be surprised? The New Testament has prepared us five times for this rejection. Our response is to be that of Jesus: we must, like a good teacher, attempt to find a way to reach our hearers on their level, using parables (Mt 13:10), stories, discourses, explanations, etc. In so doing, some will repent, turn back to Jesus, and be healed (Mt 13:15).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, make me an ever more faithful and effective Scripture teacher. |
| PROMISE: | "For with You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we see light." –Ps 36:10 |
| PRAISE: | St. Sharbel Makhluf was a Lebanese hermit who became an exemplary Christian to the world. Devoted to Jesus' life of gospel poverty, he never touched money and ate only one meal of vegetables daily. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College