GOSPEL
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’
(Matthew 13:44–52)
DID YOU KNOW?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- In ancient times, people often buried their treasures as they fled from enemies or invaders. Sometimes their owners may return to recover the treasure, but often it remained buried for many years. Among priceless discoveries of treasure buried as the owners fled invaders are the Dead Sea Scrolls, hidden from the Roman army in the late first century.
- A scribe in the ancient world was someone who could read and write and who often held government positions. At the time of Jesus, the scribes were influential teachers of the Jewish faith, well versed in Scripture and the Law.
- The householder who brings out things both old and new may be a reference to people like Matthew himself, who as well as receiving the teachings of Jesus and believing in him, retain a profound respect for the Law and traditions of Judaism.
- The blazing furnace referred to here is the place of eternal punishment for the wicked, known by the Hebrew terms Sheol or Gehenna. Hell is the English word used to translate these terms.
EXPLORING THE WORD
Jesus continues to convey his teaching about the kingdom using the imagery of everyday life. Pearls were highly valued in the Near East and were regarded as a symbol of wisdom—hence the saying ‘pearls of wisdom’. In the first two of these parables, the protagonists commit everything they own to acquiring what is beyond price. According to Jesus, gaining a place in the kingdom is worth the sacrifice of everything we value most.
The parable of the dragnet tells us something more of the kingdom. There will be those who have not recognised its value and are unworthy of the kingdom. However, it is not for people to judge who is worthy and who is not. That task belongs to God.
Jesus is very concerned that his followers clearly understand his message, and he questions them directly: ‘Do you understand all this?’ There must be no confusion over the meaning of the gospel!
Matthew stresses that believing in Christ does not mean a total rejection of Judaism. Indeed, both the old and the new have value. Jesus did not come to overturn the Law but to fulfil it, and those who recognise this truth will honour both the old and the new.
- What are the new understandings you have gained on your journey so far?
- Recall a moment of delight or discovery in your life: falling in love, mastering a skill, coming to understanding. Are these experiences pointers to the kingdom?
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- Share a story of a goal you had and the striving that was needed to achieve it. How did you feel when the goal was reached? How did you feel if the goal was not achieved?
- What have you given up in order to follow Christ?
- What are you prepared to give up?
- How do you understand being a disciple of the kingdom of heaven?
- What are the things that are most precious to you? Does this gospel challenge your attitude to them?
- This week, treasure those things and people who are precious to you in special ways.
- Jesus asks the disciples, ‘Have you understood all these things?’ Ponder your own understanding of the mystery of faith and how you are coming closer to it. Pray for the strength and understanding you need to continue the journey towards the treasure.
SHARING THE TRADITION
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
The Church has a long tradition and history. Many of the things we value as a Church are ancient indeed. The practice of the Eucharist, gathering together as a community, some of the prayer forms we use, like the Lord’s Prayer, were the actions of the earliest followers of Jesus. We honour these ‘old’ things of the faith. The Church is like the householder in that it has a long tradition that has been handed down through the generations—beliefs, customs and practices that are of enduring value—yet it is still alert to the hand of God in what is happening now in our own time, still reading ‘the signs of the times’.
In the early 1960s, Pope John XXIII called a Council of the whole Church to take the ancient wisdom and restate it for the modern world. See Gaudium et Spes, §4.
- Refer to the Second Vatican Council and discuss some of the changes to practice that occurred as a result, and how the self-understanding of the Church is reflected in those changed practices. Many of the changes reflect a desire to return to the understandings of the early church. You could discuss how the RCIA is a return to the initiation process of the first centuries of Christianity.
- Discuss the issues of the modern world (the signs of the times) on which the Church is now commenting, such as social justice and the economy, the use of human stem cells, euthanasia, technological advance, globalisation, environmental concerns, and so on. You could discuss how the secular media portray church comment on these areas.
SYMBOLS AND IMAGES
The image of treasure dominates this text. Jesus sees the search for God as part of the journey of people in all walks of life, because everyone is searching for ‘treasure’ in their lives. We need to have discerning hearts so that we can recognise what is real treasure and then give our whole lives to it.
LIVING THE WORD
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- How does your community value and highlight both the old and the new? Is this reflected in your church architecture or décor?
- A focus for prayer might be a jewellery box next to a candle and the Scriptures. Invite participants to identify the treasures in their lives, write them down and place them in the jewellery box. A suitable song may be ‘A new heart for a new world’ (As One Voice 158). You could conclude with the blessing in the RCIA at §97A.