Daily Gospel Reflections for Jul 23, 2026

**SPEAKER_1** (0:17)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:22)
The disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables?
He answered them, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but it is not given to them. For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance. But whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don't see, and hearing they don't hear, neither do they understand. In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand. Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive. For this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes, or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For most certainly, I tell you, that many prophets and righteous men desire to see the things which you see, and didn't see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them.

**SPEAKER_1** (2:00)
The Gospel of the Lord The disciples approached Jesus and said, Why do you speak to the crowd in parables? He said to them in reply, Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich. From anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see, and hear but do not listen or understand.
Jesus was not trying to confuse the people by speaking in parables. His stories invited those who truly wanted to know God to look deeper. Those who came with humble hearts found meaning, while those who had already closed their hearts walked away without understanding.
The same can happen in our lives. We can hear the Gospel many times and still miss what God is saying if we are distracted, proud or unwilling to change. Yet, when we approach. Him with sincerity, even familiar passages begin to speak to us in new ways.
Jesus reminds us that those who receive God's word and treasure it will be given even more. Faith grows when we continue to listen, trust and leave out what we have already learned. Every small step of obedience opens our hearts to understand. Him better. God is always speaking. The question is not whether. He is speaking, but whether we are ready to hear. Him. Is there an area of my life where I have been hearing God's word, but not allowing it to change the way I live? Lord Jesus, give me a heart that is open to. Your word. Remove anything that keeps me from hearing. You with faith and responding with love. Help me to treasure what. You teach me each day and to grow closer to. You through faithful obedience. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.