Matthew 13:44-46

Exodus 34:29-35

Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 9

Matthew 13:44-46

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you sent your Son to seek out the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the fine pearl. I am all three of these. I am the lost sheep who sometimes wanders from the fold. I am the coin lost within your house. I am a pearl of great price who has been found and redeemed by your Son.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Kingdom’s Hidden Nature: All seven parables in the Gospel of Matthew 13 can be seen as emphasizing the hidden nature of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven has arrived with the coming of Jesus, the royal son of David. But people have a hard time recognizing the kingdom in their midst. “Many of Jesus’ miracles and teachings in chapters 11-12 show a lack of recognition of the kingdom. For example, Matthew 11 opens with John the Baptist sending messengers to Jesus to confirm that he really is the Messiah, the King of Israel (Mt 11:2). Locked up by King Herod and suffering in a dark dungeon, even John was beginning to wonder if Jesus had really brought the kingdom” (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 44). There are prophetic signs that indicate that the kingdom of salvation has arrived: the physically and spiritually blind see, the physically and spiritually lame walk, physical and spiritual leprosy is cured, and the physically and spiritually deaf hear. In Matthew 12, the Pharisees show how hard of heart they are and how they, despite the signs Jesus performs, refuse to accept the kingdom and believe his message. “They cannot recognize the signs of the kingdom or the power of God’s Spirit” (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 45). Only the humble of heart truly welcome the hidden kingdom into their lives.

2. The Kingdom is like a Treasure and a Merchant: The seed of the kingdom is scattered throughout the world and sometimes finds good soil. The small seed must die to become a large shrub. The yeast of the kingdom works in the dough in an unseen way but has a transforming effect within society. In today’s first parable, the kingdom is compared to treasure buried and hidden in a field. There aren’t signs pointing to it in the field. A person has to dig to find it and recognize its value. In today’s second parable, the kingdom is compared to a merchant who finds the pearl of the kingdom among many other jewels and valuable things. Only the pearl of the kingdom is worth selling everything for. “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). The parables teach that the grace of Christ in the Church works in the world in a hidden way, has a transforming effect in the world, and is worth more than any earthly treasure.

3. The Radiant Face of Moses: In the First Reading, we learn about the radiant face of Moses. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord. We can hear an echo of this in the priest’s blessing of the people: “The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25). Moses had to wear a veil to cover his face when he was speaking to the people. Paul interprets the veil that Moses wore as a sign that the glory of the Sinai covenant is destined to fade away (2 Corinthians 3:7-13). The Gospel of Matthew refers back to the radiant face of Moses when it describes the face of Jesus radiating with light on the mount of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2) (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 170). One day, in heaven, we will behold the face of God and share in God’s glorious light.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for finding me and selling everything to redeem me. I will strive to choose you every day of my life. I know you are the Good Shepherd. Empower me with your Spirit to fight the good fight and finish the race!

Living the Word of God: Do I see my brothers and sisters, those around me, as pearls of great price? Do I treat them with dignity and respect? Am I tempted to treat others as things to be used for my own pleasure or gain? How can I improve here?