Today's Gospel (1/27)

[PeteZaHut]

What does this mean:

And when he was alone,
those present along with the Twelve
questioned him about the parables.
He answered them,
“The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.
But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that
they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but not understand,
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.

 

[MatthewBerkeley]

Hi,
this is my opinion, not a scholarly exegesis

I think it’s to do with those that don’t love Christ and don’t try to imitate him - ‘those outside’.
The people who try to undermine the Church and beliefs in general, using worldly arguments.
Because they have not submitted to God so as to become part of His Kingdom, they ‘hear and do not understand’. For example, I heard someone attempt to ridicule Christianity by saying it was ludicrous to think that the Son of God was born of a virgin and a dove!
So I think the road to understanding is submitting to God and letting His Spirit guide us, through the Church. For then we will understand upon hearing, we will see and perceive.

God bless

 

[cheeto1]

What does this mean:
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.

Doesn’t it sound like Jesus is saying He doesn’t want people to be forgiven?

I don’t think it means that though. I think He means
“if only” people would perceive what they see, and
“if only” people would understand what they hear,
then they would be converted and forgiven.

Only people who are really interested in Him are going to “go that extra mile”
and try to figure it out. Other people will just hear some crop story.
Knock and the door will be opened. Not just, the door is open, now go in there!
Seek and you will find. Not just Look! Look! there it is! Look!
Jesus isn’t here to hound us, but we are welcome to try and discover the
secret mysteries of His kingdom.

 

[Reuben_J]

Excellent (name removed by moderator)ut from the preceding two posters. One does not have to be learned Bible scholar to understand it except for some verses that involve doctrine of the Church. I personally enjoy discussing Bible this way and do it on a regular basis with brother Christians. The beauty of Biblical verses is that very often they speak to you personally, addressing the ordinary of your life.

About the verses mentioned, I would think that they apply to the hearts that are hardened by disbelief due to pride and extenuating factors in their lives. For those who open their heart to the word of God, the word which is a mystery is revealed to them but not to the formers. Jesus also speaks about being like a child – an important disposition for belief and to allow the word to take root in us. I would go further – there is power in the word. If you truly believe in it and have asked the Holy Spirit to help you in believing it, the word will be an inspiration in your life that moves you to a deeper life of holiness. The word also can heal.

God bless.