This Sunday we hear the final three parables about the Kingdom of Heaven found in Matthew 13. In these parables, Jesus describes the Kingdom as a hidden treasure, a pearl of great price and a net full of fish. While these are simple stories, they pose serious and complex challenges. Jesus challenged the disciples and he challenges us to consider what value we place on the kingdom of heaven. He also poses an unasked question; what (how much) are we willing to sacrifice to gain access to the kingdom?
But first, we have to find the kingdom. Every time we pray The Lord's Prayer we ask “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). We discover the kingdom when we fulfill the will of God for our lives. I can hear many of you saying, “Oh, Father John, how can we know the will of God for our lives”? King Solomon teaches us that lesson in our first reading from 1 Kings 3:7-12. When God asked Solomon what he wanted, Solomon requested, “an understanding heart” and the capacity “to distinguish right from wrong.” God responded by giving Solomon “a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.” None of us can ever hope to have the wisdom and understanding of King Solomon, but we can strive to “distinguish right from wrong” and by doing so, we can make faithful choices that will bring us into the proximity of the kingdom.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, “seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness …” then everything will fall into place. Both the person who found the buried treasure and the merchant who found the pearl of great price recognized the value of their discoveries and each was willing to sacrifice everything (joyfully) to possess that treasure. Jesus is telling us that the Kingdom of Heaven is the greatest treasure we can possibly obtain.
This brings us to the parable of the fishing net. Like the parable of the wheat and weeds we heard last week, Jesus reminds us once again that sorting out good from evil is not our responsibility. As followers of Christ, and as members of the Church, it is our responsibility to gather as many fish as possible into our nets. It is up to God and only God to determine who is in the Kingdom and who is not. The good news is that God wants all of us to be in the Kingdom. As Jesus told his followers in Luke 12:32-34, “your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
God of eternal wisdom,
you alone impart the gift of discernment.
Grant us an understanding heart,
so we may value wisely the treasure of your kingdom,
gladly reject all lesser gifts,
and accept with gratitude the ones you alone can give.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
you alone impart the gift of discernment.
Grant us an understanding heart,
so we may value wisely the treasure of your kingdom,
gladly reject all lesser gifts,
and accept with gratitude the ones you alone can give.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN
