GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Finding Treasures: Mt 13,44-53
We now come to the last three parables of this discourse, together with its conclusion. These parables and the conclusion are all special to Matthew. What links this last part with what precedes? Consider why I am including verse 53 with the discourse and not with verse 54 as is quite common.
Read through these verses; note the topic of the three parables. Two are very similar, one is similar to an earlier parable. Then look at the conclusion which (as we have seen) leads into verse 53.
Treasure and Pearls: 13,44-46
Note that these two parables have the same opening as the earlier pair (13,31-33).
These two parables are simple images. Treasure and pearls are both linked with wisdom in the OT. See Proverbs 2,1-5 and Job 28,18. How is wisdom connected with the kingdom of heaven?
How do the two images differ? What is the double message of the two images? What phrase is special to the first image?
Can you suggest a different emphasis in these two compared with the first pair, the mustard tree and leaven?
The Net: Mt 13,47-49
When is the net dragged ashore? See also 13,30. What does that tell us about the kingdom of heaven?
For the end of the age in verse 49, see 28,20. Angels were part of the explanation a few verses earlier (13,41). Very similar imagery is being repeated here. Look forward to Mt 25,31-46.
The Conclusion: 13,51-52
Verse 51 recalls verses 13,19,23. What might be surprising about this conclusion?
Verse 52 is often taken as a self portrait of the evangelist. What would be evangelist's theme?
From this. look back over the discourse and see how it's theme unfolds.
Time to go to my response.
The Sunday Gospel
This last part of the discourse, 13,44-52, forms the Gospel for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
This Gospel is a good deal shorter than the Gospels for the past two Sundays yet it still provided with a short form, just the two images of the kingdom. What is the effect of the ommission?The OT reading comes from 1st Kings, telling of Solomon's request to God for wisdom. Read the whole passage: 1 Kings 3,4-15; compare Solomon's request in a few translations. Read as well the story in the second part of the chapter, 1 K 3,16-28. How does this passage accompany the Gospel?
Look again to my response.