Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old

 

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.  

 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered  the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  

 

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

 

- Matthew 13:44-52 

 

In our recent readings, Jesus has begun preaching to the crowds in parables, a new innovation in His ministry.   (See the reading from Tuesday of last week, in which we began reading chapter 13 of St. Matthew's Gospel, and the subsequent readings.)  Yesterday we read that Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house.  And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."  He answered and said to them:  "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.   The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.  Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.  The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

 

  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."  My study Bible notes that the parable of the treasure hidden in a field illustrates those who unintentionally stumble onto Christ and His Church, yet receive Him with great eagerness.  It calls the parable of the pearl of great price an illustration of people who've been searching in their hearts for Christ, and finally find Him and His Church.  The other pearls, in this metaphor, represent all the various teachings and philosophies of the world.  Such treasures are hidden, in that they are not recognized nor valued by people immersed in worldliness.  In both parables, in order to receive the treasure it's required that all else must be sold.  That is, a person must surrender all things in order to receive Christ.

 

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered  the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."   This image of the fishing net which gathers the good and wicked altogether is similar to the parable of the wheat and the tares (see this reading for the parable, and also yesterday's reading, above, for Christ's explanation of it).  My study Bible comments that this parable of the dragnet further emphasizes that even those who are gathered into the Church are subject to judgment.  

 

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  My study Bible cites St. John Chrysostom, who importantly notes that Jesus does not exclude the Old Testament, but rather praises it as a treasure.  Those who truly write or speak of the kingdom of heaven will draw from the unity of both new and old Testaments, for both of them are holy, with the New as the fulfillment of the Old.  This is truly the way that St. Matthew composed his gospel, my study Bible adds.  As evidence of this, it notes that St. Matthew repeatedly uses the formula "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken" (see Matthew 2:15, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:35).  My study Bible says that this underscores the intervention of God throughout history, demonstrates the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, and indicates the beginning of the new creation. 

 

Today's reading focuses on treasure.  It invites us to think about what we treasure, what's truly worth treasuring.  Jesus says, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  He's speaking, of course, of spiritual treasure, and we began this chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel with the parable of the Sower, which Jesus gave us regarding His word as the seed which is sown.  If we look at the whole of the Bible, we know already that Jesus is Lord, and so we can "hear" the same Sower and His valuable seed throughout the Bible.  Thus, the entirety of this spiritual treasure is both old and new, and we must cherish all of it together, for it exists for us as we need it, and will profit by it.   In today's reading, Jesus first gives us two illustrations of the kingdom of heaven.  First, He says, "the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."   So this immensely valuable treasure is characterized by Christ as worthy of all else that we have, that we know, or that we base our lives upon.  It is that precious that it's worth the sacrifice of anything else in order to have it.   Next Jesus gives another illustration to ponder:  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered  the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  As my study Bible says, this illustration augments the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the understanding of all things being gathered up for sorting at the end of the age. We go back to Christ's illustration of good trees and bad trees, good seed and bad seed, to understand that this dragnet is, in a sense, the Holy Spirit at work in the world.  The angels will come to separate and to gather up, and to cast out the evil and save the righteous.  This dragnet relates also to Christ's word, and to those whom He called to be "fishers of men."  That is, the apostles who would spread Christ's word, His gospel, the seed of the Sower, to all the world.  One thing we can be sure of, that such a net is wide and sweeping, and catching all things that may come into it, extending from the sea floor to its surface.  If this is the picture that Christ has given us of the working of the Kingdom, it is also an affirmation of His teaching that nothing is left out, even every idle word we utter, even the awareness of every hair on our heads (Matthew 10:30).  It's interesting that Jesus' beautiful parables of the Kingdom are punctuated with references to judgment, reminding us that it is what we do with this treasure, and how we will make use of it in our lives, that really counts, that matters in the long scheme of things and the arc of our lives.  Let us then trust to Christ for His good seed, the word He gives us, treasuring it as we should in our hearts, and belonging to His kingdom and the good and precious things He says are worth every price.  For we are each a householder in His kingdom, and we each must value the treasure He gives.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it

 

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  

 

Then He said to to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

 

- Matthew 13:44-52 

 

Yesterday we read that, after telling them more parables, Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house.  And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."  He answered and said to them:  "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.  The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.  Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.  The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

 

  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."  My study Bible explains that the parable of the treasure hidden in a field illustrates people who unintentionally happen upon Christ and His Church, but receive Him with great eagerness.  The parable of the pearl of great price shows those who wee searching in their hearts for Christ, and finally find Him and His Church.  The other pearls are meant to represent all the various teachings and philosophies of the world, it says.  These treasures are hidden in that they are neither recognized nor valued by people immersed in worldliness.  In both parables, to receive the true treasure asks of us that everything else be sold.  That is, a person surrenders all things in order to receive Christ. 

 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."   My study Bible comments on this image of the fishing net gathering the good and wicked together -- noting its similarity to the parable of the wheat and the tares (see yesterday's reading, above).  It explains that this parable further emphasizes that even those gathered into the Church are subject to judgment.  

 

 Then He said to to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  My study Bible cites St. John Chrysostom's commentary here.  St. Chrysostom notes that Jesus does not exclude the Old Testament.  Instead, it is praised here by Christ as a treasure.  Those who truly write or speak of the kingdom of heaven will draw from the unity of both new and old Testaments.  Both are holy, and the New is the fulfillment of the Old.  This is truly how Matthew composed his gospel, my study Bible adds.  We can see this in Matthew's repeated use of the phrase, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken" (Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:35).  

Today's reading asks us to question ourselves, in some sense.  We're asked to question what our own treasure is, or what we think our treasure is.  Christ clearly sets out His own definition of treasure, and that is the kingdom of heaven.  He compares it to a pearl of great price, which is worth selling everything else a person has in order to attain it.  (We have to keep in mind that at Christ's time, pearls had much more value than they do today, as there was no such thing as cultured or farmed pearls -- only natural ones found in the "wild.")   Christ also describes the kingdom of heaven as like treasure hidden in a field, for which a man for joy went and sold all that he had in order to purchase the field.  So clearly He is teaching us that the kingdom of heaven is worth everything else in life, in terms of what we value or how highly we esteem something we may have.  But also contained with these parables about great beauty and great joy and real treasure is also another parable about judgment:  the dragnet that will catch everything at the end of the age, and -- once again, as in yesterday's reading, above -- about the angels who will come and separate out the good and the bad, the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth is a phrase denoting judgment.  So while we have this great and tremendous treasure, of joy and beauty and incomparable, nearly immeasurable price, we also have judgment, and "wailing and gnashing of teeth."  In Jesus' teaching and in His parables we've read in this chapter, those two things come together as part of the teachings He presents.  Somehow, the text insists, you don't get one without the other.  Many of us take great joy in this treasure that surpasses all others, in the pearl of great price.  There is so much beauty that can be seen in the Church, and rightfully so -- and there is beauty in the personal prayer in which we discover God's all-encompassing love, and the compassion of Christ and the saints.  But judgment is not something any of us is happy pondering, and moreover it's in a category of mystery that we can't know the answers to.  We don't know the secrets of judgment, but we're given today's parable (and the earlier parable of the wheat and the tares in yesterday's reading) in order to affirm that there will be a judgment, and to make certain that we are aware of this.  It is a reminder that gifts come from God with a great deal of spiritual power attached to them.  It is our refusal of that gift that is the cause for judgment.  We often think of judgment as punishment, but this isn't really the picture presented here.  Although "wailing and gnashing of teeth" presents us with a certain picture of suffering, that suffering is the result of a failure to grasp this kingdom and embrace it and treasure it.  That failure becomes one of not cherishing what we're given, and not holding it as precious as it truly is.  It's a lack of something due to our own neglect of a priceless treasure in our midst that is offered to us, and so we become part of what is discarded from that dragnet and not kept.  If anything, Christ's parables of judgment are meant to get us to regard what He offers with all seriousness, and not to take lightly what are gifts of God, a revelation of covenant.  In the Old Testament, the Law given by Moses also includes statements of judgment, of what will happen if Israel abandons her covenant with God.  But again, these may seem like punishments, while in reality they are the spiritual consequences of the rejection of such gifts.  Will we accept Christ's treasure, and value it in accordance with its true value?  How does this treasure play a role in your life?  Do you make sacrifices to keep hold of it, to cherish it?  This is the true value of the kingdom of heaven, a treasure which consists of things both old and new.  Let us not neglect our pearl of great price. 

 

 

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it

 

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.  

 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

 

- Matthew 13:44-52 

 

In chapter 13 of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus has begun teaching in parables.  He began with the parable of the Sower; then we read His explanation for why He speaks in parables, and He also explained the parable to His disciples.  Next He taught the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, and after that the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.  In yesterday's reading, Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house.  And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."  He answered and said to them:  "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.  The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.  Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.  The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear!"   

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."  My study Bible explains that the parable of the treasure hidden in a field illustrates those who unintentionally stumble onto Christ and His Church, yet receive Christ with great eagerness.  The parable of the pearl of great price, it says, illustrates those who have been searching in their hearts for Him and finally find Him and His Church.  The other pearls represent all the various teachings and philosophies of the world.  These treasures are hidden, in that they are neither recognized nor are they values by individuals immersed in worldliness.  In both of these parables, to receive the treasure requires that everything else must be sold; that is, a person must surrender all things in order to receive Christ.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."   This image of the fishing net which gathers together all the good and the bad is, in this sense, similar to that of the wheat and the tares (see this reading for the parable, and its explanation above, in yesterday's reading).   My study Bible tells us that this parable further emphasizes that even those gathered into the Church are subject to judgment.  

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  My study Bible cites St. John Chrysostom's commentary on this subject, in which he states that Jesus does not exclude the Old Testament, but rather praises it as a treasure.  Those who truly write or speak of the kingdom of heaven, it says, will draw from the unity of the new and old Testaments, for both are holy, with the New being the fulfillment of the Old.  This is truly how Matthew composed his gospel, as repeatedly we read "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken" citing the fulfillment of the Old in the New (see Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:35).  These examples teach the intervention of God throughout history, and demonstrate the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, indicating the beginning of this new creation in Christ's gospel of the kingdom. 

 

So what do we think of as treasure, and why does Jesus speak of treasure?  Clearly, treasure gives us an understanding of something of great worth, invaluable in comparison to the rest of the things of the world.  A treasure is something we prize and protect, we value it exceedingly and cherish it.  We look at it over and over again, and marvel at its beauty and worth, and what it means to us.  Over and over again, a true treasure will reveal to us something new at which to marvel or to appreciate.  This is how Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven, as a treasure hidden in a field, which gives such great joy it's worth selling everything else to have it.  It's like a pearl of great price among all other pearls one can find, so worthy of its value that  one may sell everything one has in order to have it.  This is the doctrine of the kingdom, something presented to us as worth everything else, and worth giving everything else up for.  I wonder how many of us can value this precious kingdom we're given by Christ.  How many are capable of even discerning its presence?  It is truly like a prize of tremendous beauty, that will add that beauty to everything else in our lives, because its value begins to shine in us and through us and reflect back to us in the beautiful things in the world.  We might marvel, as did Christ, at the beauty of the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-30), which Jesus says are clothed by God in glory -- and so, Christ points out, that if God even arrays flowers in a field in such beauty, how much beauty does God find in human beings?  If we think about pearls in ancient times, we understand that we are speaking of pure nacre and a symbol of purity.  That is, a pearl (before modern cultivation methods) was something which was the same substance from the inside to the outside.  The brilliant glow of the nacre, and the purity of a true "pearl of great price" would make it worth every other prize and possession, and more.  It is a true illustration of the beauty and glory of the kingdom.  In each case, Jesus makes it clear that this kingdom can be a part of our lives, something we treasure and which adds luster and beauty to everything else we have or see or do, lending meaning and power.  If we look at the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, and its counterpart in today's reading, the dragnet which collects good and bad, we understand that both the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price illustrate the way that God sees us when we hold Christ's treasure and pearls dear, and treasure them within ourselves.  When we hold the things of God precious, so God finds us precious, and seeks us as God's treasure in that great dragnet.  It's important to note that in Jesus' explanation for both this parable of the dragnet, and in the one of the wheat and tares, it is the angels who do the sorting and reaping:  this judgment is not up to us, nor it is our work to do.  Ours is to know and seek the pearl of great price, the treasure hidden in a field, and to cherish it ourselves, growing to become more like it -- so that God may find in us God's treasure.  Like a truly loving parent, as Gods' children, or "sons of the kingdom" as Jesus put it in the explanation of the parable of the Wheat and the Tares (above), we are God's treasure in this world, those who "shine forth like the sun."   By choosing the right treasure, and dwelling in its teachings and meanings, living its life, we become more like that pearl, and more like that treasure hidden in a field.  We become the ones sought by the angels, and treasured by God as heirs and children who bear God's name in the world, even the glory of the kingdom of heaven.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." 

- Matthew 13:44-52

Yesterday we read that, after preaching several parables to the crowd, Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house.  And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."   He answered and said to them:  "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.  The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.  Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.  The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."  My study bible says that this parable of the treasure hidden in a field illustrates those who unintentionally stumble onto Christ and His Church, but yet receive Him with great eagerness.  The parable of the pearl of great price, it says, illustrates those who have been searching in their hearts for Him and finally find Him and His Church.  The other pearls represent all the various teachings and philosophies of the world.  These treasures are hidden in that they are neither recognized nor valued by those immersed in worldliness.  In both parables, receiving the treasure requires that everything else is sold -- that is, a person must surrender all things in order to receive Christ.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."  This image of the fishing net which gathers good and wicked together is like the parable of the wheat and the tares (see Jesus' explanation of that parable from yesterday's reading, above, and also His telling of the parable in this reading).  My study bible adds that this parable further emphasizes that even those gathered in the Church are subject to judgment.

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."  My study bible cites St. John Chrysostom, who notes that Jesus does not exclude the Old Testament, but rather praises it as a treasure.  Those who truly write or speak of the kingdom of heaven will draw from the unity of the new and old Testaments.  Both are holy and inspired, the New being a fulfillment of the Old.   My study bible notes that this is indeed how Matthew composed his gospel, as the text repeatedly uses the phrase "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken" (2:15, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:35).

Jesus uses the image of a field in today's first parable given in the reading.  In modern language, we use the word "field" to describe many things.  Particularly in the language of physics and the study of our world and how it's put together, "field" has come to be used to indicate levels of reality.  That is, we speak, for example, of magnetic fields at work in the universe.  The theory regarding the unification of all such "fields" or layers of reality is called "Unified Field Theory."  In some sense, we can think of the kingdom of heaven as a field, one which intersects our lives in all manner of fashion.  The experience of this Kingdom is like a field in which this great treasure, beyond all former understanding and comparison, is hidden.  We need to experience this to know it, to perceive it.  Once we have even a glimpse of this treasure for ourselves, the whole field becomes something we wish for ourselves.    We can compare it to the event of Christ's Incarnation into our world, and His saving ministry -- with its saving act of death on the Cross and Resurrection -- as a field of eternity that enters into the center of our history and impacts and intersects what we know in every possible way.   He brings with Him this pearl of great price, that changes all the values we have by the impact of its presence and our understanding of it.  Simply its existence transforms everything else by comparison to its beauty and incalculable worth.  (Let us remember that at Jesus' time, there was no such thing as a cultured pearl.  All pearls were natural, formed purely of nacre -- giving us an image of rare and extraordinary wealth, and at the same time a concept of purity, being of the same substance from the inside to the outside.)   In His example of the dragnet, Jesus once again invites us to understand that our participation in this Kingdom, and our association with it, also gives us reflection of that treasure and value in ourselves.  This shows in qualities like goodness and righteousness, a love of the truth and beauty that are part of the treasure, a heartfelt desire for the absolute good that is present within it.  Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is therefore one who understands that this "field" of the Kingdom is one that intersects our lives on any number of levels, and throughout time.  It is in the writings and experience of the prophets and those who were capable of participation in this Kingdom, no matter how partial their understanding of Christ to come.  It is in all the saints, known and unknown to us, who have lived or will live in our world.  Recently, the Church celebrated All Saints Day.  Actually, in many traditions, "all saints" are celebrated on many occasions throughout the year.  These saints are people who love God with a devotion that is inspiring and beautiful.  They form points of treasure in our world, if you will.  Through them the Kingdom also intersects our world, bringing us beauty and light not found elsewhere.  These are not simply celebrated individuals, but also countless others whom we don't know and can't name.  To participate in this Kingdom, this great pearl of unsurpassed beauty, is to share in the light and worth that saints bring to life and share with our world -- the glory of spiritual beauty being something like the sheen of a pure pearl.  In this Kingdom, time and space create no barrier nor limit -- all that reflects it is of great value, as treasure in our lives.  It is, indeed, the field can unify through all things.  Let us draw upon it, even with every breath of life, and allow it to change who we are and how we see that we, too, can bring beauty to the world (5:14-16).

Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found the one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

- Matthew 13:44-52

In last week's readings, Jesus gave us many parables. In context, Matthew's gospel introduces us to Jesus' preaching of parables with The Parable of the Sower, and Therefore hear the parable of the sower (in which Jesus explains the parable to His disciples). Last week, we read the readings that follow, beginning with Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? in which Jesus gave us the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. Next, He proceeded to preach more parables of the Kingdom: the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Leaven. Matthew's Gospel tells us that He always spoke to the multitude in parables, in order to fulfill the prophecy, "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world." On Saturday, we read about Jesus alone with His disciples, and they asked Him to explain the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. He said, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Here we have more parables from Christ, about the great worth and value of this spiritual kingdom, this discovery that we may make for ourselves. What is it worth to you? Are you willing to sell all for it? Is it that precious to you? My study bible says, "The driving desire of men for wealth pictures the desire of the soul for heavenly riches. The treasure is described as hidden because it requires faith and perseverance to discover it." What is this treasure worth for you in your life?

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found the one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." Here we have the beautiful parable of the pearl of great price. I imagine that volumes could be written on this parable alone (and perhaps they have!) But Christ is giving us many parables to teach us of the value of this kingdom, its great treasure for us and in us. A pearl alone is worth many metaphors. A pearl, in the ancient world, was a "true pearl" - not a cultured pearl - in which layers and layers of nacre form a pure pearl, without an inner core of a different material. So a pearl can be analogous to the "pure in heart," those for whom hypocrisy doesn't exist. The pearl of great price is the wealth that this kingdom represents, that the pure of heart treasure and will see. Again, in the ancient world we are talking about an exceptionally rare jewel, in a time when the only pearl known was a naturally formed one, not a cultured pearl as in today's market. For many of the apostles, for countless saints and lovers of God, sacrifice of all that one had has been required for this kingdom, and a price paid.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Here we return to the theme of Judgment, as in Saturday's reading and the explanation of the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. My study bible says, "The Kingdom is compared to a fishing net which gathers the good and the wicked, an image similar to that of the parable of the tares. The point is that the final judgment will finally disclose and separate the wicked from the righteous." In this parable, it is the action of the Kingdom, of the Spirit, that gathers all for final judgment; so it is in the age in which we live. When the time is full, the Judgment will happen. This is the promise He makes.

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." My study bible says, "Jesus does not reject the Old Testament; rather, He commends it and calls it treasure. Fulfillment is found, however, in the New Testament, which leads to a complete understanding of the Old Testament. This parable describes how Matthew, a Christian scribe, composed his Gospel." The Old and the New complement one another, take from one another, are all a part of this great treasure. The riches of the Kingdom are also found in both Old and New Testaments, the one informing the other, and also vice versa. This is why our Bible puts both together; the wisdom of Christ is timeless, and was before all ages, and will be in the age to come. It is we who gather revelation and await new understanding that will also illuminate the old.

So how do you see the treasure of God? Is it something you are willing to give all for? Something worth every sacrifice? Jesus speaks of the Judgment once again in today's reading. Implied in the teaching about Judgment at the end of the age is the importance of the choices that we make. And again, we go back to the words Jesus repeats from Old Testament Scripture: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" What is the condition of the heart? Can you receive the wisdom of the Spirit? Do you hear what you can hear? It all goes back to our true treasure, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Are you willing to make sacrifices for this Kingdom? In my life I have had to make many choices, many of them feeling like great sacrifices. But to treasure the Kingdom above all takes a kind of faith that is also fed by our daily bread: the great treasure old and new itself about which Jesus speaks in today's reading. What do you take out of your storehouse of treasure? What is it that truly feeds you? What is your pearl of great price, worth everything else?

The pearl of great price

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

- Matthew 13:44-52

In Matthew's 13th chapter, Jesus has been giving us parables to teach about the nature of his kingdom, and the gospel that he proclaims. Here, he continues with more - after having given us the parables of the Sower (Why do you speak to them in parables? and Therefore hear the parable of the sower), of the Wheat and the Tares (and its explanation here), and the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.

Today's parables continue with a different theme (as opposed to sowing and harvesting). We begin with themes of treasure and value, and it continues into an understanding of judgment and its nature.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." My study bible notes, "The Kingdom of God is compared to an earthly treasure and a costly pearl (v. 46). The driving desire of men for wealth pictures the desire of the soul for heavenly riches. The jewel is described as hidden because it requires faith and perseverance to discover it." When we seek faith, the thing that feeds the soul, there is nothing more important, nothing to compare to this need, this hunger, that is within us for spiritual food. It is the priceless reality for which there is no substitute. We put the kingdom first. In this sense, the kingdom is illustrated through these parables in the same way that Jesus answered the scribe's question about the greatest commandments. The first greatest commandment, Jesus replied, was "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." So it is with this pearl, and this treasure. It is greater than all else, and asks of us the dedication of such value. But the parable is more than a commandment - it teaches us about our own nature and our need for this kingdom, the spiritual food that our souls seek. There is something we truly need, and when we open up to that hunger within ourselves we understand that nothing is too great to sacrifice for this fulfillment. We are creatures made for worship, and only the good food for the soul will fill that need properly and well. We will have this need for this divine relationship, but we seek to fill it with many things. The pearl of great price is that which we seek in truth, which fills truly our need.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." My study bible notes here: "The Kingdom is compared to a fishing net which gathers the good and the wicked, an image similar to that of the parable of the tares (v. 36-43). The point is that the final judgment will finally disclose and separate the wicked from the righteous." An interesting juxtaposition here: of the parables of the great treasure and the pearl of great price, with the story of the dragnet of the kingdom that is searching for its own great treasures and will leave behind that which is not desired. We understand that the Kingdom also seeks its own, that which it is like. It seeks the treasure of the just and the righteous for itself. It will discard that which is not like itself: that which is unjust, unrighteous; in the words of the gospel translation, "the wicked."

In the search for those who will believe, this dragnet will catch all. Similar to the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, as my study bible points out, this net may catch all sorts. We are taught about the treasure and the pearl of great price to understand the value of this kingdom. We are also given the understanding that this net of the kingdom will catch all and sundry, all those who are attracted to it. But, as in the teachings of the Beatitudes, it is that which is in the heart which will bear the truth of righteousness - of that which is like itself. In the explanation of the Wheat and the Tares, these are the "sons of the kingdom." Discerning these parables, we get a sense of like which calls like: God's image is also sought by the Divine in those for whom this kingdom is truly that pearl of great price. The great dragnet is a search for those who will love God - not with the outward form alone, as hypocrites, but with the heart of love. Love seeks its own, that which is capable of such love, for whom this is the great treasure.

Elsewhere (in the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus has taught that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (see "No one can serve two masters"). We are to understand that our treasure is what we love, and by it is defined the heart, what is truly within us, the center of our souls and our consciousness. This is a teaching on what we value, an extension of his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. But with the introduction of the subject of judgment, we are given a taste also of the nature of our Father and the kingdom. God also seeks that which is like God, the kingdom seeks its own children. We become children by adoption, by love. Only it is not just our Father that chooses, it is we also who make our choices deep within ourselves about what we love, what we value, what we then become by participation in that love. At all times this door is open, grace is offered. We have but to choose that which we value to become the sons of the kingdom, "like God" ("Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.") I find a great consistency in these teachings, and an interesting organization in Matthew's gospel. First we have the great teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus teaches specifically and with great explanation his ideas of the kingdom, the nature of love and how we become "like God." But in these parables, there are vivid word-pictures that teach us the nature of all of this working, and how it works in us. In today's reading, we are given this picture of the great desire for the "one thing necessary." My study bible has it right when it points out that "the driving desire of men for wealth pictures the desire of the soul for heavenly riches." And it also fits with the concept of judgment, and that which is cast into the furnace. As before, we explore the concept of the holy fire. I believe it is that which burns away that which we need to cast off within ourselves, which we are better off without, as in Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: see If your right eye causes you to sin. Nothing is too great a sacrifice for this treasure. What we love becomes a part of us, we become a part of it. Everything else that does not participate in the righteousness of the kingdom we are better off without; we practice repentance by discarding that which does not make us "like God" - "as our Father in heaven is perfect." Which do you choose? What do you love? Where is your treasure and your pearl of great price?

Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." My study bible notes on this passage that Jesus did not reject the Old Testament, but called it treasure. What we understand here is the reality of the present gospel, that does not reject the old but transforms it through new value and the new perspective that is gained therein. What will you treasure, therefore? How does it color where you have been and what you have known? Going back once again to the Sermon on the Mount, Christ's words illuminate what he told his disciples at that time, that he came not to destroy but to fulfill. How do these parables help you to fill out what you know, and to teach about what is written on the heart?