{"id":4380,"date":"2024-05-23T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/?p=4380"},"modified":"2024-05-23T09:59:01","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T01:59:01","slug":"daily-devotion-may-23-2024-opening-our-spiritual-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/2024\/05\/23\/daily-devotion-may-23-2024-opening-our-spiritual-ears\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Devotion (May 23, 2024): Opening Our Spiritual Ears"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.2&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong style=\"font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium);\">TODAY&#8217;S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote is-style-default\" style=\"border-color: #0693e3;\">\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 21px; color: inherit;\">Whoever has ears, let them hear.&#8221; The disciples came to him and asked, &#8220;Why do you speak to the people in parables?&#8221; He replied, &#8220;Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Matthew 13:9\u201311<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: inherit; font-size: 21px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><!-- \/divi:pullquote --><!-- divi:paragraph {\"align\":\"center\",\"fontSize\":\"medium\"} --><\/figure>\n<h1 class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>DEVOTIONAL<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><em>by <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stephanie Reloj<\/span><\/em><\/span><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"normal\"} --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;He who has ears, let him hear.&#8221; These words hold a profound truth\u2014a truth that transcends mere physical hearing. Jesus understood that true comprehension, true belief, required more than just auditory perception. It demanded spiritual receptivity\u2014a heart softened and opened by the grace of God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the multitude that heard Jesus teach, only a few truly grasped the significance of His message. Jesus lamented that many hearts remained dull, resistant to the transformative power of His words. Yet, amidst this spiritual blindness, there were those whom God granted the grace to understand\u2014the disciples who earnestly sought wisdom from their Master.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this, we see the divine mystery of grace at work. While some may question why God did not grant understanding to all, Jesus reminds us that the invitation to seek understanding was open to all. Anyone who heard the parable had the opportunity to approach Jesus, to inquire, to seek illumination. Yet, it was only the disciples who seized this opportunity, demonstrating their hunger for spiritual truth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesus contrasts this with the prophets of old, who longed for the revelation of the Messiah but did not live to see His coming. Even among those who witnessed Jesus&#8217; miraculous deeds, there were many who failed to recognize Him as the promised Messiah.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But to the disciples, God lavished His grace, unveiling the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. It was through their humble inquiry and their willingness to learn that they received spiritual insight beyond what many others had grasped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>REFLECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, the invitation remains open\u2014to those who have ears to hear, to those whose hearts are receptive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Let us not allow spiritual dullness to cloud our understanding. Instead, let us follow the example of the disciples, approaching Jesus with humility and earnestness, seeking to comprehend the depths of His teachings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavenly Father, grant us ears to hear Your voice, hearts to receive Your wisdom, and spirits to follow Your will. In the quiet moments of prayer, may we find solace in Your presence and strength in Your love. Guide us in the path of righteousness, that we may walk in obedience to Your Word and bring glory to You. In Jesus&#8217; name, Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/divi:paragraph -->[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TODAY&#8217;S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE Whoever has ears, let them hear.&#8221; The disciples came to him and asked, &#8220;Why do you speak to the people in parables?&#8221; He replied, &#8220;Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Matthew 13:9\u201311 DEVOTIONAL by Stephanie Reloj &#8220;He who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-devotionals","category-text-devo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4380"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4383,"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4380\/revisions\/4383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jec.com.ph\/jub\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}