1Kings 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 118; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52
Heaven our greatest treasure
Today’s gospel presents us with three parables about the kingdom of heaven. Many people no longer believe in the reality of heaven and hell. Some make joke of this reality, either to teach basic lessons or to make caricature of the end-time reality. Amidst this, our gospel reading today presents us with three parables to further intensify the reality of Judgment, heaven and hell. The parables are: The Parable of the Hidden Treasure: Matt. 13:44, the Parable of the Pearl Matt. 13:45-46 and the Parable of the Net Matt13:47-50.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure: Matt. 13:44, or the Parable of the Pearl Matt. 13:45-46 does not suggest that we literally sell all we have to possess the kingdom; instead, we are invited to desire the kingdom above all else. The one who discovers the hidden treasure, or the pearl, lets go of everything else in his life in order to have what they have found. These parables reminds us that there is nothing in this world that can be compared to the Kingdom of God. Thus, heaven is our greatest treasure. Whoever discovers it must change his whole life to have it.
In Matt.6:33 the bible says “seek it first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Precisely because of this, in the first reading, Solomon sought for ‘a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil’. He had variety of desires but he asked for practical wisdom and the Lord was pleased with him. We must learn to place our priorities right. Many people have really made a mess of their lives by having the wrong priorities in life. For us Christians our first priority is the Kingdom of heaven and everything that will guarantee our entrance into that Kingdom. If we have the privilege of Solomon, what will be our request?
Christians must put God first; for he says in Exod. 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.” In the story about Mary and Martyr, Mary took the better part because she puts God first. Peter, James and John, whom Christ called to be his disciples, had their priorities right: “So when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:11). In Luke 9:57-62 those who were called and were giving excuses represented all those who have not given God the first place in their priorities.
Lastly, we have the parable of the Net. In this parable, the dragnet is cast into the sea and pulled onto shore full of all kinds of fish. Then the fishermen sat down to the business of sorting the fish into the “good” and the “bad.” The fish worth keeping were gathered into containers, but the rest were tossed away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. This parable is similar to the Parable of the Wheat (Matthew 13:36-43). Both parables concern an end-time sorting, aided by angels, when believers will be separated from unbelievers or pretenders once and for all.
Just as the net was cast into the sea drawing many fish, the gospel message is spread into the world, drawing many people to God. Just as the net gathered all types of fish, regardless of their value, so the gospel attracts many people who neither repent nor desire to follow Christ. Just as the fish could not be sorted until the net was pulled ashore, so false believers masquerading as true Christians will be exposed at the end of the age.
LET US PRAY
O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. 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
Rev. Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
