(Gospel passage at the end of this article)
Observation:
The parable is one of the many parables in this section of Matthew’s gospel. It comes after the parables of the Sower, the Weeds and Wheat, and the Mustard seed, among others. It talks about the Kingdom of God/Heaven, a phrase that is mentioned more than 120 times in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke (also known as the Synoptic Gospels). Being mentioned that many times, this subject must be a very important one in the preaching of Jesus. In fact, it can be said that if Jesus had a Personal Mission Statement, it was to preach the Kingdom of God.
Interpretation:
What is the Kingdom of God? The Jews during Jesus’ times understood this term as the time when the Messiah would come, and Israel would be liberated from the Romans. It would be prosperous times, just like the time when David was king. Jesus, of course, was speaking of a “kingdom that is not of this world.” For Jesus, the Kingdom of God as a condition (not a place) when God would reign in the lives and hearts of the people. It is a condition when love, forgiveness, justice and peace become the prevailing values; and where the poor, sick, and marginalized are included in the mainstream and benefits of society.
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God as “already here” but also as “not yet.” The Israelites were of course puzzled because, for them, it cannot be here until the Messiah comes. But Jesus meant that it is “already here” because the process of healing and transformation of the world has already started with his becoming one of us. But it is “not yet” because the healing and transformation is not yet complete, and still on going.
The parable for this Sunday is what we consider as a “twin parable.” It presents the Kingdom of God as “like a treasure buried in a field” and “like the merchant searching for fine pearls.” In interpreting a “twin parable,” our search should reveal a meaning that is common to both parts of the parable.
- First, we note that the comparison is first as a “treasure” and then as a “merchant.” It would have been more logical for the second comparison to be with the “pearl,” isn’t it? Our search for the common element then should be more of the situation presented in both parts rather than what is common to the “treasure” and the “pearl.”
- Secondly, let us also eliminate the other elements that we may initially think may be common but which, on a deeper analysis, are not? For example, some would interpret that the parable as saying that one has to “search” for the Kingdom of God. But this is doubtful since the finding of the treasure and the pearl are presented as being accidental and a fortunate turn of events. (Note that the parable presents the finder of the treasure as a hired hand who ploughs the field and accidentally finds the treasure).
Others would say that it is the “joy” of finding the Kingdom that is the message of the Gospel. This is also doubtful because “joy” is not at all mentioned in the part of the merchant.
Another interpretation is that one has to “give up everything” for the sake of the Kingdom. This is also tenuous because the merchant has not really given up anything. The merchant, in biblical times, is a wholesaler who buys and sells for a profit. He has simply sells everything he has to buy the pearl, but eventually plans to sell it (obviously for a profit, instead of simply feasting on it with his eyes).
Finally, the interpretation cannot be the “value” of the Kingdom because the people in Jesus’ times already knew this and were simply awaiting it.
- What then is the likely message of the parable? Well, what is common to both parts of the parable is the behavior of both the finder in the field and the merchant. They both acted decisively: they GO, they SELL, and they BUY.
I believe the message is this: the condition that the Kingdom of God presents is so powerful and compelling that anyone who gets a taste of it cannot help but personally commit to it.
Generalization:
In the Renewal community, we have all tasted what it means to be loved, forgiven and accepted. We know what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It is this personal experience that compels us therefore to commit to our community and apostolate, and to spread the good news that we have heard AND felt to others.
Application/Discussion Questions:
- What have you actively done to share your Renewal experience with others?
- What may be hindering you from doing more to invite others to be part of our Renewal community?
Matt 13:44-52
44 "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.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
48 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.
49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied.
52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
(NIV)
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