Scripture:
Jeremiah 15: 10, 16-21
Matthew 13: 44-46
Reflection:
In this first reading Jeremiah continues to be the living parable of God. In love with the Word of God,he devours the Lord’s words to him, feeds on them, and becomes God’s word himself. And he suffers in himself what the Lord is feeling and suffering. The pains that Jeremiah moans about are the pains of God himself, suffering from the treatment shown him by his faithless people. Jeremiah is called to continue to be the voice of the Lord to these faithless and selfish people, preaching repentance from a saving God, despite what they do to him and the way they treat him.
When we move into the gospel, Jesus himself speaks to us directly. We are his disciples and he teaches us about the kingdom of heaven. We can recall from the opening of Mark’s gospel, that Jesus began his public life by calling us to the kingdom: "The time is near. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the good news." (Mark 1:15) Now, that we have believed and have become his disciples, he continues to teach us about this kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven. And like Jeremiah, he teaches us in parables.
These parables given in Matthew are short, pithy little comparisons, unadorned with questioning or further explanation. Today Jesus continues with them, offering us simply two: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, . . ." and "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls." How shall we deal with these parables?
I suggest that we just sit with them – sit with Jesus speaking them to us. This is my Lord who loves me personally, unconditionally, who wants me to be one with him. What is he saying to me through these two little parables? What does he want me to dwell on? If I am quiet, attentive, keeping my eye on him and my heart open to him, listening, he will tell me – and tell me perhaps without using any more words.
Br. Peter Fitzpatrick,CFX, a Passionist Associate is a Xaverian Brother, dwelling across the creek fromSacred Heart Monastery in Louisville, KY, in Ryken Retirement Home on the St. Xavier H.S. property.