Scripture:
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52
Reflection:
These parables lead me to one obvious conclusion – the abundance and beauty of heaven! He goes and sells all that he has and buys it: isn’t this the ultimate sacrifice to reach the gates of Heaven? To be able to leave everything behind, detach ourselves from the wealth, greed and sorrow of a world that has morphed into something that at times can seem pointless and sad. But we continue to see the good in this world, knowing that the place of abundance for us is that goal of reaching heaven at the end of our journey. How do we achieve it? Repentance, for one.
And this net that is thrown into the sea – does it only catch fish? Of course not! It catches all forms of debris, turtles, and other little crawling things. And what is bad will be thrown out – and the angel will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous… This is the final judgment, so we must prepare for that time by being good stewards, separating ourselves from this world in preparation for heaven. We tend to forget what could happen if we don’t live as Christ would expect us to live.
We read these things so no one can say they were not aware. There are no excuses, just these facts – God wants us to repent, to live righteous lives, to forgive, to live simplistically, and to offer our lives to him completely.
God bless you all!
Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church.