Breaking the Word

17^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 28^th July 2022 — Gospel:         Mt 13,47-53

Become Scribes for the Kingdom

Jesus ends his teaching unit in Matthew 13 by creating a more descriptive explanation of the kingdom of heaven. He describes about the scribes bringing out new and old from their treasure (13,51-52). The emphasis is on the newness of what Jesus is teaching, but it is based on his announcement of “what has been hidden from the foundation of the world” (13,35), which Jesus cites from Ps 78,2. This treasure of old, yet always becomes new because of Jesus’ teachings. What is this ancient message Jesus is now proclaiming new? Its clearest expression is provided in the parable of the net: there is always a mixed bag of good and evil, even in the Church, but in the end, God will sort out things. The evil will perish, and the righteous will be part of God’s bountiful and glorious harvest.  Those who commit themselves to the kingdom will triumph in the end. As the disciples continue to grow in their responsibility for the community established by Jesus, they become scribes “trained for the kingdom of heaven” (13,52). Like a homeowner who draws upon both new and old resources in managing the household, the disciples must keep faith with the Torah and prophets of Israel while boldly proclaiming the fulfilled and definitive teachings of Jesus. The disciples, as leaders, must represent a Christianity encompassing both the old covenant and the new.

17^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 27^th July 2022 — Gospel: Mt 13,44-46

Joy is the engine of sacrifice

The parables of the treasure in the field and the valuable pearl convey the fact that God’s kingdom is more valuable and to attain that one must take greatest risk. Both the treasure and the pearl are OT symbols for wisdom (Job 28,18; Prov 4,8). The treasure is found unexpectedly by the poor farm-tiller on another’s land. The pearl is discovered after a diligent search by the well-to-do businessman. In both cases they sell all that they have immediately and secretly, to attain the precious discovery.  However, the emphasis is not on how much one has to give up, but on the joy that comes from their investment and complement. The genuine disciples respond joyfully to the discovery of the kingdom with total commitment. Joy is the engine of change and of sacrifice. Because of the surpassing value of the treasure in each case, selling was no sacrifice; it was a smart business, it was a joy.  Neither the farmer nor the businessman lost a thing – both made huge gains. The joy of the discovery of Jesus Christ in whom are hidden, “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2,3) has moved men and women of all age into large and life-changing decisions.  It is by telling people of God’s treasures that people sell or sacrifice what is necessary for the costly but joyous acquisition.