Today’s Gospel from Matthew 13 concludes Jesus’ three-part teaching on the Kingdom of God. Two Sundays ago, with the Parable of the Sower and the Seeds, Jesus introduced the kingdom to us. Last Sunday, Jesus spoke of the growth of the kingdom throughout the earth and within ourselves. And today, Jesus presents four parables to teach us about the eternal value of the kingdom.
The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field…
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it…
The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind… They put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away…
Every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old…
These are vivid parables that honestly can’t be retold as masterfully as Jesus himself preached them. Buried treasure, fine pearls, and buckets of tasty nourishing fish are all valuable in and of themselves. But today Jesus is challenging us: What do WE treasure?
Would we sell everything we have to deepen our relationship with God? Would we toss out the things that do not belong in our buckets – the grudges, distractions, and false treasures? Would we have the wisdom to keep what nourishes the soul and let go of whatever keeps us away from God’s love?
And please allow me to turn this around even further. In this kingdom where God dwells, what does God consider as his most valuable treasure? YOU!
God’s deepest desire is to enter into personal relationship with you, and with me, and with all the children he created out of love.
Would God sell everything he has for you and for me? He already did! He sent his Son into the world to offer his life on the Cross and open for us eternal life – eternal relationship – with God.
Perhaps this is one way to understand the fourth parable. God is the head of the household, lovingly bringing forth treasures old and new. He holds our memories and our hopes, our failures and our dreams, our past, our present, and our future. Nothing is lost in God's kingdom. Everything is gathered into his loving and merciful hands. This is Christian hope!
So let us look into our hearts and reflect on what Jesus is teaching us. What do you value above all else?
God values us. We are the treasure that God seeks and loves into eternity.
May we spend our lives seeking the One who has already found us, loving the One who has already loved us, and treasuring the God who treasures us beyond all measure.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Entrance Antiphon God Is in His Holy Place (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #148
The repeating motifs of the Let Us All Rejoice antiphons make it easy for communities to sing the official liturgical texts. For example, the melody for today’s Entrance Antiphon is repeated next Sunday for the Communion Antiphon.
Entrance Chant In This Place (Trevor Thomson)
Spirit & Song #219; Never Too Young #18; Breaking Bread #308
In concert with the Entrance Antiphon, Trevor Thomson offers a gentle call to worship. “Our hearts and our spirits are nurtured by grace. It is Jesus who fills us. Here is here in this place.”
Responsorial Psalm Lord, I Love Your Commands (PJ Anderson)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 256
PJ Anderson brings an edgy vibe to his verbatim psalm setting that will appeal to young musicians and the young at heart.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 258
This acclamation verse has been repeated in the past several Sundays to serve as a reminder for us to open our hearts to God with the wonder of a child.
Preparation of the Gifts Prayer of St. Augustine (Ken Canedo)
God pursues us! He never gave up on young Augustine, who finally understood and accepted God’s invitation to holiness. You will find the sheet music in the link above.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion Antiphon Bless the Lord, O My Soul, and Never Forget [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #149
Antiphon Option 1 from Psalm 103 is a song of thanksgiving for the God who desires to seek us and bless us abundantly. Repeat it several times as a prelude to the Communion Chant.
Communion Chant I Will Choose Christ (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #220; Never Too Young #261; Breaking Bread #514
God has first loved us! How do we respond?
Sending Forth Just Like You (Matt Maher)
Spirit & Song #322; Never Too Young #100
Today’s Gospel asks: What do you treasure? In this uplifting favorite, Matt Maher sings to God and expresses for all of us: “Like a burning fire, be my one desire. I want to be holy just like You…”
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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