Gospel Reflection July 30 – Deacon Frank
Sunday, July 30
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 13: 44-52
Gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household
who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”
Gospel Reflection:
Each of us is uniquely called to be a son or daughter of God, our Father, and we are invited to live out our Christian vocation as brothers and sisters in Christ. In comparing the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field, or a pearl of great price that we hear about in this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is both something to be sought after and something that requires wisdom and perseverance to attain. As with those who dive for pearls, those of us in search of the kingdom of heaven may find that we have to plumb depths within ourselves in search of courage, faith, and a future with God, as our Lord and guide. We may be called to sacrifice the lesser “treasure” or “pearls” in our lives, so that we can rejoice in the greater gifts that Christ offers.
Called as we are, to be “true images” of Christ in our world, we need to choose wisely and seek the “real” treasure, which is Christ. We can, like King Solomon from our first reading that you will also hear this weekend, in prayer ask for understanding, and a greater ability to judge wisely. Such gifts will engender in us a greater love and compassion for those around us. For when we understand more deeply, we can love more generously and forgive more readily.
As we attend Mass this weekend may you spend some time reflecting on what you most treasure – what is your “pearl of great price”. Try to also find some time this next week to appreciate and give thanks for the treasures of our faith and our family, as well as the many gifts that God has given to each one of us.
Deacon Frank Iannarino