DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, October 25, 2018

When Christ was alone, those who were around Him along with the twelve asked Him about the parables.  And He said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables;  in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’” – Mark 4:10-12

This particular teaching of Christ has always troubled me.  This secret or key is what enables some to perceive and understand, yet the parables are a way to keep those who have not the secret or the key from repenting and receiving mercy.  For years, this seems to go counter to my understanding of Christ’s invitation to all and His forgiveness of all.  Puzzling, at least for me.

What is this undefined secret or key to the Realm of God?  Possibly it is the risk of daring to trust that Christ speaks of a deeper understandings.  Possibly it is the humility that sets aside the pride and arrogance that confessing our need.  Possibly it is the understanding that it is not in debating law or doctrine that reveals the Truth, but the openness to the still-speaking Voice of God.  Possibly it is the yearning for a clearer, fresher, further understanding than what we presently have.

Christ asked many questions in His teaching of the people.  And I find that in how the people answered those questions either opened their minds and heart to new understandings or closed their minds and hearts by clinging to old understandings.  How can we believe in this new Realm of God, this new world where heaven and earth do mingle, this new age in the Divine and the human are coming together, if we are not willing to truly open our eyes, to healed of the particular blindness that colors and distorts our vision and to truly open our ears, to no longer be deafened by the prejudicial past?

Loved Ones, the secret, the key to the Realm of God … is to want to understand what God is presently revealing.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz