July 30, 2023
Matthew 13:44-52
The kingdom of God is found by those who are consciously awake in the spirit. Let us pay attention to the attributes used by Jesus to describe the kingdom of heaven. Firstly, it is a hidden treasure, secondly, it is a fine pearl of great value and lastly, it is a dragnet that hauls all kinds of things out of the sea.
Anything hidden cannot be easily found without a search. The more we pay attention to the word of God and God’s ways, the more we will discover the hidden wisdom of God. God’s wisdom does not come to us from spiritual sloth and idleness, it comes from a deep desire to know God and live by God’s commandments.
We cherish anything of great value to us. We keep it safe far away from destruction. So are we to value our relationship with God. The place of God in our lives is far greater than anything in the world. Sometimes, we are tempted to ignore our relationship with God and chase after things of lesser value to our spiritual growth. The invitation from Jesus is to choose God first, to place God on top of our priority list.
Like the dragnet which hauls all manner of things, the world sometimes throws all kinds of things at us. In today’s world, there is a conglomeration of things camouflaging as real values. How do you discern the voice of truth from falsehood? Those who are searching for the wisdom of God in their hearts will receive the grace to sift through what is deceptive to living more authentic and meaningful lives in our present circumstances.
The kingdom of heaven is not only an experience of the after-life, it is within us already. The quality of our Christian lives bears witness to God’s kingdom on earth “for the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but, of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). When our lives reflect God’s kingdom to other people, when they experience the loving kindness of God through us, we will empower them to search for the hidden treasures in God. Our world is in dire need of the fruits of God’s kingdom today-peace and joy in our hearts.
Matthew 13: 44-52
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad 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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad 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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad 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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Meet Sister Priscilla Aliu, SNDdeN
