Look, Listen, and Feel

First Reading: Jeremiah 2:1-3,7-8,12-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 36
Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming throughout the day? I know that I do, in fact sometimes I wonder how many hours of work we lose each year due to daydreaming. There you are in front of your computer screen working when all of a sudden a pleasant memory or a thought comes into your mind, before you know it about 20 minutes has passed. While it is fun sometimes to think back to good times or get lost in your thoughts, think about all the things going on while we are daydreaming. When we day dream, we are not focused on what we are doing or what is going on around us. It would be very easy during these moments to miss an opportunity to help someone or listen to someones wise advise. Perhaps you have even found your mind wandering during mass, perhaps during a prayer or during Father's homily. While none of us want to admit it, I am sure we are all guilty of not keeping focused during these important times.

In the gospel today Jesus tells his disciples:
“...blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Think about how blessed we are to be able to hear the word of God every day! All that we have to do is pick up our bible and read. But remember that Jesus is not only present in the word, but also in the world around us. He is always speaking to us and trying to make Himself present to us. It can be very easy to miss these moments where Jesus is trying to speak to us or reveal Himself to us. I still remember my kindergarten teacher explaining the different senses of the body to our class. She told us when exploring something we should use our senses and "look, listen and feel."

Today and every day, let us look to the example of the disciples and be aware of Jesus around us. Let our eyes and ears be open to Him and let us not be distracted by the things of this world. Remember look, listen and feel...keep focused!

Thank you Lord God for this day, help us use it to serve you and give you glory. Lord give us the diligence and reverence to keep focused on you and your will for our lives. We humbly surrender to you and pray for your mercy and forgiveness in our lives. Let us pray for all those who are not listening or looking for you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.