Cycle A - Year II:  

27 July 2014: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical color: Green)

Matthew 13:44-52

Searching for God's treasure!

Treasure hunting will always lure adventure seekers because of its promise of quick wealth and easy life, and even fame. In the modern times, "treasure hunting" may take the form of big lotteries and other games of chance, like the popular Philippine Lotto perhaps. Would you take your chance in treasure hunting?

We will hear something about hunting for treasures in today's Gospel.

In his teaching ministry while on earth, Jesus speaks often about the kingdom of God. In

this week's Gospel, Jesus uses different images in his parables to describe what this kingdom is like -- the hidden treasure, the pearl of great value, the dragnet thrown into the see which brings in all kinds of fish. These images were every day life situations that tell us something about the nature of God's kingdom and how we need to respond to it.

A word of caution before proceeding further: we do not like to speak of spiritual things in mercantile terms. Obviously, the kingdom of heaven cannot be purchased or earned, because it is a free gift to those who believe. But by these parables, Jesus calls our attention to the cost of discipleship. How much is the kingdom of heaven worth to you? How much are you willing to give to have that intimate and eternal relationship with God (which the kingdom of heaven is all about)?

Let us reflect on the meaning and message of these parables about the kingdom of God:

The message of comparing the kingdom of God with a hidden treasure or valuable pearl is that God's kingdom is so valuable that everything else must be sacrificed for it. The meaning of "kingdom" here is not a place or a physical location; rather, the "kingdom" is a matter of a direct or close relationship of ourselves with God. So that to accept God's kingdom we are challenged to give up something important to us, like certain personal ambitions perhaps, or to abandon certain bad habits or ways of life, to take on a discipline and self-denial that are not always easy. Because there is no other way to true peace of mind and heart in this life, and to glory in the life to come. In the end, it is worth any sacrifice to possess God's kingdom and to live in friendship and communion with our Lord Jesus Christ.

The last parable describes the kingdom of God as a great net that catches various kind of fish, some worth keeping and some not. The point of the parable is to remind us that there will be judgment day to separate the good and bad catch. The "fish" worth keeping are whose who have realized and accepted the supreme importance of the kingdom of God in their lives, and who have tried, with all their strength, to conduct themselves according to God's way of life. In other words, the kingdom of God allows both saints and sinners in this life (like the message of last Sunday's parable of the weeds and the wheat). The Lord gives to every person the time and opportunities to become more and more transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. 

Yet we must remember that the time given to us for transformation is not meant to be forever. Our lives on earth will come to an end. Therefore, Jesus reminds us today in this last parable that we must put God's kingdom first in our list of priorities. And if we do this, we will be counted among the "fish" that are worth saving.

This Sunday is also Fil-Mission Sunday. Let us pray for the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP) and all Filipino missionaries all over the world who continue the mission to preach the kingdom of God to every people.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!