Matthew 13 of our POWERful Bible Journaling is filled with the parables of Jesus. It also contains a couple of familiar themes like bearing fruit and the Kingdom of heaven. So which is your favorite parable found in Matthew 13? Although I like them all, I’m partial to the Parable of the Sower.
The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide states, “Observe, only the fourth part of the seed, namely, that which fell on the good ground, produced fruit; the three other divisions of the seed perished. Thus, but few profit by the word of preaching. By far the greater number who hear the word bring forth no fruit.” You know what that made me think of? Turn on the radio or television and scan the channels; at any time during the day you will find a televangelist preaching and teaching the Word of God. There are who knows how many sites on the internet that we could click on to read or listen to the Word of God. We can find commentaries, blog posts (ahem), vlogs, videos, pins and Facebook updates that all pertain to the Word of God…and look at our world. We have more access to the Word than any other generation and look at the fruit we as a whole are bringing forth.
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 13
P –There are so many opportunities to hear You Lord…and I squander so many of them. I totally get why St Paul asks why he does what he doesn’t want to do and doesn’t do what he wants to do. And it’s not just the doing. It’s the being. I get frustrated because I don’t make daily Mass very often, or practice this devotion or that. And then I get frustrated because I didn’t smile at my child when they entered the room, or spoke kindly to the insurance lady on the phone. You are in each one of those scenarios and I miss them or misuse them.
O –Jesus told it like it was, in a way everyone could understand. The truth doesn’t need to put on airs.
W —vs 43…Then shall the just shine as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
E –What if I “heard” God in everyone I met? What if I took the time to be still and quiet and heard God? What if I listened to His promptings instead of mine? I prayed one time, “Keep me from being more internet noise.” I renew that prayer. I want you who visit, to hear Him in this space.
R –That sounds wonderful Lord, to shine like the sun in Your Kingdom. I will listen to Your promptings, Your commands–almost like a personal GPS, leading me in the direction toward Your Kingdom.
Please share your POWERful reflections in the comments.
Michelle says
One of the blessings from this daily practice has been that other things that I’ve encountered tie into the scriptural passages either to confirm or expound. I have had such consolations as well as greater suffering.
Today, it was this verse that I needed as balm.
13:16 But blessed are your eyes that see and your ears that hear.
Lord, help me to appreciate the privilege of discipleship.
Jenny says
Beautiful prayer Michelle, it is a privilege…a gift. I remember once a priest telling us it was a gift and we should appreciate it lest we lose it.
maddalena70 says
P. God please keep on watering my little seed so that it may grow in a big and welcoming tree for the nest of my girls faith and love.
O. I have always loved the parable of the little seed cause it shows so well the sewing and growing of my faith and that of everyone and how it must grow in order to be a welcoming place for everyone.
W. ” it is the smallest of all seeds but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air cone and make nests in its branches.”
E. I am working on my tree trying to let it grow solid and welcoming for others souls and their nest.
R. God keep watering my tree.
Michelle says
Maddalena, your prayer is so beautiful. God bless you.
Deb00 says
P- Good morning Lord. Thank you for a new day. Please bless us with safe travel. Keep me always focused on You
O- powerful words of warning over and over again in today’s reading. Satan is lurking, waiting to trip us up and hoping we R not grounded enough in our Faith to cling to Jesus. We must not b lukewarm in our Faith lest Satan win us over. What a contrast from whAt the world teaches…..no definitive right or wrong only what feels right to you
W- mt13:30 let them (wheat and weeds) grow together until harvest then I will say to the harvesters “first collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning but gather the wheat into the barn.
E- although Our world is full of evil, I must stand strong in the Faith, lean on Jesus and He will see me thru to the end. Continual learning about the Faith, studying Gods word and a healthy prayer life is so important to keep me close to Jesus
R- Jesus keep me always close to You so that no matter what comes my way I will always remain true to you
Jenny says
Yes, a prayer for that closeness, that intimacy, to give us strength.