Friday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time - Matt 13: 1-9, 18-23

To support the ministry and access exclusive content, go to: ⁠⁠http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy⁠⁠ For complete verse-by-verse audio commentaries from Logical Bible Study, go to: ⁠⁠https://mysoundwise.com/publishers/1677296682850p Matthew 13: 18-23 - 'The man who hears the word and understands it yields a rich harvest.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 546 (in 'The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God') - Jesus' invitation to enter his kingdom comes in the form of parables, a characteristic feature of his teaching. Through his parables he invites people to the feast of the kingdom, but he also asks for a radical choice: to gain the kingdom, one must give everything. Words are not enough, deeds are required. The parables are like mirrors for man: will he be hard soil or good earth for the word? What use has he made of the talents he has received?Jesus and the presence of the kingdom in this world are secretly at the heart of the parables. One must enter the kingdom, that is, become a disciple of Christ, in order to "know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven". For those who stay "outside", everything remains enigmatic. - 29 (in 'The Desire for God') - But this "intimate and vital bond of man to God" (GS 19 # 1) can be forgotten, overlooked, or even explicitly rejected by man. Such attitudes can have different causes: revolt against evil in the world; religious ignorance or indifference; the cares and riches of this world; the scandal of bad example on the part of believers; currents of thought hostile to religion; finally, that attitude of sinful man which makes him hide from God out of fear and flee his call. Got a Bible question? Send an email to [email protected], and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!