30 July, 2023 | 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

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Gospel Mt 13:44-52

Jesus said to his disciples:

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,

which a person finds and hides again,

and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant

searching for fine pearls.

When he finds a pearl of great price,

he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,

which collects fish of every kind.

When it is full they haul it ashore

and sit down to put what is good into buckets.

What is bad they throw away.

Thus it will be at the end of the age.

The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous

and throw them into the fiery furnace,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

"Do you understand all these things?"

They answered, "Yes."

And he replied,

"Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven

is like the head of a household

who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."

Reflections:

Once we encounter Jesus, we are ready to give up all other treasures and possessions. There is no other treasure but Jesus Christ. St Paul considered everything as loss compared to the inestimable treasure of knowing Jesus and serving him, “I regard everything as a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”(Phil 3: 8). To the young man Jesus said, “Give up all that you have and then come and follow me.” He was unable because the love for riches possessed him.

Activity:

What is that uppermost priority in your life?