17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 26th July 2020
Gospel Matthew 13: 44–52
Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well, then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’
Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach
As I come to pray, I take the me to slow down and to relax my body and mind. I breathe in God’s love and life. I enter God’s presence in me and around me more deeply.
When I am ready, I take up the Gospel passage and read it slowly a couple of times.
Which of the four parables strikes me most? I may wish to stay just with this one, asking myself ‘why?’
I may speak to the Lord, applying the parable to myself and allowing him to show me its truth in my life.
Or I may wish to ponder on what the kingdom of heaven means to me now, after all these parables.
God’s presence or closeness in my life ... in my community ... in my world ...?
Does my understanding colour the values I hold, and the actions I undertake? Have I thrown all my rubbish into the sea?
As I end my prayer, I may choose to take away, in gratitude, one pearl to carry me through the day or week.
No comments:
Post a Comment